Female Diver Missing on The Yukon, San Diego
- Thread starter Slater
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Bopper, no one is talking about the boat Dive Master. The DM in question was associated with the class.
In light of the info in the 10 news story, and what I think I already know, I would proffer an alternate theory to the one Ken has given.
{Begin Pure Conjecture}
The deceased had a problem with her "buoyancy apparatus". I take that to mean her BC. I extrapolate she either had a hole in it or the inflator hose connection to the BC was loose/came off, thereby allowing the BC to take in water and fill. The Divemaster, seeing this problem underwater and having, with the deceased, become separated from the rest of the class (Wreck Diving Specialty class) earlier, grabbed the student with the inoperable BC, over-inflated his own BC, and thus attempted to bring the both of them to the surface. At some point, before the surface was made, the DM lost his grip on the student. He and his over-inflated BC rocketed to the surface while the student with the faulty BC, perhaps now full of water, plummeted to the bottom where she expired at some point afterward due to panic and drowning. This would explain why the Divemaster buddy hit the surface first and was able to alert the boat as to the status of the deceased. This would also explain why the boat took immediate action in calling the Coast Guard rather than waiting a few minutes to see if she surfaced safely.
{/Pure Conjecture}
Bill
In light of the info in the 10 news story, and what I think I already know, I would proffer an alternate theory to the one Ken has given.
{Begin Pure Conjecture}
The deceased had a problem with her "buoyancy apparatus". I take that to mean her BC. I extrapolate she either had a hole in it or the inflator hose connection to the BC was loose/came off, thereby allowing the BC to take in water and fill. The Divemaster, seeing this problem underwater and having, with the deceased, become separated from the rest of the class (Wreck Diving Specialty class) earlier, grabbed the student with the inoperable BC, over-inflated his own BC, and thus attempted to bring the both of them to the surface. At some point, before the surface was made, the DM lost his grip on the student. He and his over-inflated BC rocketed to the surface while the student with the faulty BC, perhaps now full of water, plummeted to the bottom where she expired at some point afterward due to panic and drowning. This would explain why the Divemaster buddy hit the surface first and was able to alert the boat as to the status of the deceased. This would also explain why the boat took immediate action in calling the Coast Guard rather than waiting a few minutes to see if she surfaced safely.
{/Pure Conjecture}
Bill
One comment. If the Wreck Dive course referred to is a PADI one, it is very far from being an advanced course. Advanced Open Water perhaps, but that is a long way from Advanced.
The more I read of this case the more uneasy I feel.
The more I read of this case the more uneasy I feel.
Well, there are HUGE differences between recreational wreck courses, and technical wreck penetration classes. A recreational wreck diving class may not even involve penetration, and doesn't require teaching any line skills or any training for coping with lights-out or siltouts. A technical wreck class should involve all of those things, and the training dives may be much higher risk.
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If I may, a PADI Wreck Diver Specialty Course - (not the "teaser" course that you can do to get your AOW) does include a penetration and line skills. No need to discuss if this is a good course or not, but adding this for information purposes only.
Per the guidelines (and this is verbatim from the manual published in 2008), a penetration is done during Dive 4A: "Plan and perform an actual wreck penetration under your direct supervision". In addition, "Swimming without causing excessive silt disturbance" and "Maintaining contact with the line".
This also includes "deployment and retrieval of a penetration line" in Dive 3.
Per the guidelines (and this is verbatim from the manual published in 2008), a penetration is done during Dive 4A: "Plan and perform an actual wreck penetration under your direct supervision". In addition, "Swimming without causing excessive silt disturbance" and "Maintaining contact with the line".
This also includes "deployment and retrieval of a penetration line" in Dive 3.
The instructor who was with this class often works privately (or with very small groups) of students off of many of the San Diego boats. I am not going to post his name, but he does frequently teach courses at these sites. I believe that he is a trained technical diver, but teaches for PADI.
Conditions were not great on Saturday, but were definitely dive able. Many people were scared off by the super high surf report, but we ended up taking a class out that morning and it wasn't awful. The vis was truly around 5', and there was a very noticable current which most likely played some part in this.
For those who aren't as familiar with the Yukon, the large openings that were cut in the side (for divers) cause some funky movements (especially when there's already a current). It is not at all uncommon for a diver swimming over one such opening to get quickly sucked all the way in and then spit back out a few seconds later. It can be rather disorienting. I have also noticed quite a bit of fishing line on parts of the wreck recently...
Conditions were not great on Saturday, but were definitely dive able. Many people were scared off by the super high surf report, but we ended up taking a class out that morning and it wasn't awful. The vis was truly around 5', and there was a very noticable current which most likely played some part in this.
For those who aren't as familiar with the Yukon, the large openings that were cut in the side (for divers) cause some funky movements (especially when there's already a current). It is not at all uncommon for a diver swimming over one such opening to get quickly sucked all the way in and then spit back out a few seconds later. It can be rather disorienting. I have also noticed quite a bit of fishing line on parts of the wreck recently...
SCUBA_Phil
Contributor
Penetrating the Yukon is a serious dive. Over the years, I have seen many recreational divers pop in and out of the wreck. After a while, they go a little further and don't realize how much risk they are incurring. 80 cuft does not last long when lost on this wreck. We all need to respect the Yukon. For those who are curious, here is a video of the inside of the wreck
[video=vimeo;1488543]http://vimeo.com/1488543[/video]
[video=vimeo;1488543]http://vimeo.com/1488543[/video]
Ken Kurtis
Contributor
FWIW, my understanding is that there was no intent to penetrate as part of the dive plan.
- Ken
- Ken
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