A friend just sent me this
Scuba diver's sudden death in West Vancouver under investigation, local police say
Scuba diver's sudden death in West Vancouver under investigation, local police say
Fatality Vancouver BC
- Thread starter wedivebc
- Start date
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Darnold9999
Contributor
Long time experienced Vancouver diver. Did not know him but know quite a few people who did. I have not yet heard any reasons for the fatality.
Still waiting on details........heard it was an equipment failure.....
OP
Name? PM?
newmanl
Contributor
In accordance with the family's wishes, I have to withhold the diver's name, but can disclose some details as to the cause of the accident.
The accident occurred when the diver's scooter tow-rope accidentally got caught on, and depressed, the trigger causing the scooter to run. As the scooter powered up with the tow-rope still connected at the crotch D-ring, it caused the diver to spin in the water. At some point - either by the pulling action of the tow-rope (depending on the direction of travel when the scooter powered up) or the spinning action of the diver, both the diver's mask and regulator were dislodged. In a struggle to regain control, the diver drowned.
As above, the family would like the identity of the diver to remain private, but would like the dive community to be aware of the cause, and perhaps learn from this tragedy. There are likely other points, but as an avid scooter diver I'd advocate for the following:
- get training before using a scooter (yes they are fun, can be practical, but are potentially dangerous if used incorrectly)
- if possible, re-programme the scooter to start in the lowest gear available with a low RPM (some scooters come from the factory/dealer programmed to start in a cruise gear and RPM configuration)
- lock out the trigger any time you are not actively under-way (lock out the trigger for 'pat-downs', gas-switches, and any other activity that requires letting go of the scooter)
Underwater, loose line (like a scooter tow-rope) seems to develop a life of its own, and is usually not the least bit interested in yours. Manage your tow-rope like your life - or at the very least, your dive, depends on it.
The accident occurred when the diver's scooter tow-rope accidentally got caught on, and depressed, the trigger causing the scooter to run. As the scooter powered up with the tow-rope still connected at the crotch D-ring, it caused the diver to spin in the water. At some point - either by the pulling action of the tow-rope (depending on the direction of travel when the scooter powered up) or the spinning action of the diver, both the diver's mask and regulator were dislodged. In a struggle to regain control, the diver drowned.
As above, the family would like the identity of the diver to remain private, but would like the dive community to be aware of the cause, and perhaps learn from this tragedy. There are likely other points, but as an avid scooter diver I'd advocate for the following:
- get training before using a scooter (yes they are fun, can be practical, but are potentially dangerous if used incorrectly)
- if possible, re-programme the scooter to start in the lowest gear available with a low RPM (some scooters come from the factory/dealer programmed to start in a cruise gear and RPM configuration)
- lock out the trigger any time you are not actively under-way (lock out the trigger for 'pat-downs', gas-switches, and any other activity that requires letting go of the scooter)
Underwater, loose line (like a scooter tow-rope) seems to develop a life of its own, and is usually not the least bit interested in yours. Manage your tow-rope like your life - or at the very least, your dive, depends on it.
Jack Hammer
Contributor
Tow rope caught on the trigger can be extremely bad. This is one of the reasons proper scooter protocols teach turning the power off, or locking the trigger on models without a power switch, when stopping, especially so when taking your hand off the controls. Unfortunately many folks do not always do this or simply forget.
Also:
Controlling the nose with the driving hand (usually right hand) instead of just letting it float free
Clipping off the nose when more permanent stowage is appropriate
Practice regaining control and disabling the power if you do have a runaway scooter (from the tow cord or any other reasons like stuck reed switches)
Have found having a stiffer tow cord than the stock one is helpful.
The old echo/sierras had the bar style trigger and lacked a trigger shield to keep cord from wrapping around
trigger. Stiffer cord is more predictable and manageable. DiveX offers a shield now.
Should be a reflex to come off power, spin the lock out wheel or equivalent and clip off.
Would be a benefit to practice pulling scooter in towards you to control runaway scooter (RAS)
In open water deco stops there is no bottom or solid surface to plant the nose into.
But this won't fix a stuck switch either debris or misaligned reed.
You may need to grab the prop, yes this hurts.
Hopefully your clutch slips or you'll bust a blade (an easy fix )
RAS can release weight belts.
Having a longer tail section is helpful, you'll be able to snug it up as opposed to rethreading it.
The Marsailles style buckle resists the tow cord release better.
The old echo/sierras had the bar style trigger and lacked a trigger shield to keep cord from wrapping around
trigger. Stiffer cord is more predictable and manageable. DiveX offers a shield now.
Should be a reflex to come off power, spin the lock out wheel or equivalent and clip off.
Would be a benefit to practice pulling scooter in towards you to control runaway scooter (RAS)
In open water deco stops there is no bottom or solid surface to plant the nose into.
But this won't fix a stuck switch either debris or misaligned reed.
You may need to grab the prop, yes this hurts.
Hopefully your clutch slips or you'll bust a blade (an easy fix )
RAS can release weight belts.
Having a longer tail section is helpful, you'll be able to snug it up as opposed to rethreading it.
The Marsailles style buckle resists the tow cord release better.
PfcAJ
Contributor
I think its also worthwhile to re-emphasize the importance of a bungeed backup thats ALWAYS in the same place and easy to find.
johndiver999
Contributor
I've never had a scooter class, but some of the protocols are interesting to me. Perhaps it is specific to the model of scooter, but what do you do when it stick "on" and will not shut off? This can happen from issues with the switch position or sticking, but can also be induced by a salt water leak into the scooter and shorting it out.
What do you do? I can image that a really powerful scooter could be a real handful if it takes off on its own.
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