Filmmaker Rob Stewart dies off Alligator Reef

[LandonL]

As did many others.

I have great interest in this case from the medical perspective.

Yes many of us speculated he suffered from hypoxia, it seems the evidence supports our theory. This means he ran out of O2 and was likely on a hypoxic diluent. Why do you have an interest from a medical perspective?

Seems you have an ax to grind with Mr. Sotis and are quite derogatory. Why not just stick to the discussion of the report as I posted?

Seems you have a man crush on Sotis. You have posted a total of 32 times on this forum, over half of which are related to this incident. Chris is open about his bias, maybe you should be about yours.

In all seriousness, you seem like you already have an idea in your head about this case and are looking more for affirmation than objective analysis. Based on your name and previous comment I'm going to assume you are a medical doctor. I am sure you remember learning about confirmation bias in med school.

As one looking to get trained in CCR, I like to read all the reports I can to learn from others.

Not trying to come down hard here, but you seem to be questioning the statements of those with experience and training in CCR diving, a subject about which you say you want to learn. Try and look at the facts objectively.

 

[Dr Simon Mitchell]

Hello,

The most (and perhaps only) significant fact to come out of the MEs report (as represented in the attachment) is that the oxygen cylinder was empty. But before commenting further on this someone will have to remind me whether the rebreather Rob was diving had a leaky valve or not. It if did, then the oxygen cylinder being empty is difficult to interpret.

Autopsy reports are often unhelpful in determining the cause of diving accidents unless they reveal an unmistakable contributing medical process like an cerebrovascular accident or acute myocardial event. It is impossible to distinguish from an autopsy which 3H event (hypoxia, hyperoxia, hypercapnia) may have contributed to an accident. Similarly, bubbles in the tissues / circulation are often difficult to interpret because gas will come out of solution post mortem in divers who have a significant tissue gas load and whose circulation / respiration ceases before it is washed out.

Simon M

 

[The Chairman]

I would note that the Chairman's strong opinion that it was hypercapnia does not bear out.

I could be wrong, but the coroner is making an assumption and admits it. Hypercapnia also disappears with the administration of oxygen. Unless there is a blood gas analysis done immediately, you're only guessing. As a physician, you should realize this.

So what would that change? Not much. A gag strap, which is required by the folks at rEvo, would probably have saved his life, but Sotis doesn't believe in that. Blacking out on the surface from either hypercapnia or hypoxia would have the same consequence. The diver would lose control of their loop and the counter lungs would collapse causing him to sink straight down. Even with all eyes on him, there would have been nothing Horizon could have done to prevent his death. This was an accident that could have been prevented with far more time on the rebreather, a gag strap, proper training and avoiding such an aggressive dive schedule. Again, Horizon had no control over those conditions.

 

[LandonL]

@The Chairman And a change of tanks before such a dive... 735psi left in the dil, 0 in the O2.

Or better yet, not doing the dive and returning later to retrieve the hook.

 

[The Chairman]

The most (and perhaps only) significant fact to come out of the MEs report (as represented in the attachment) is that the oxygen cylinder was empty.

rEvo uses a constant oxygen feed. Left on, all rEvos would deplete the oxygen tank unless that was specifically defeated.

 

[LandonL]

rEvo uses a constant oxygen feed. Left on, all rEvos would deplete the oxygen tank unless that was specifically defeated.

Interesting point. I wonder then if the measured ppO2 values are available for 20ft to the surface on his ascent? That would give some indication if there was any O2 left during/prior to the accident.

 

[The Chairman]

I wonder then if the measured ppO2 values are available for 20ft to the surface on his ascent?

That would shed light on whether it was hypoxia or hypercapnia. Great point.

 

[Wookie]

Wouldn't the set point controller say exactly what the PPO2 in the loop was vs. depth? Seems if Doctor Beaver was stating hypoxia he might have bothered to find that out before releasing a hypothesis.

 

[The Chairman]

Why was he fired? Does anyone know?

 

[cerich]

Even with all eyes on him, there would have been nothing Horizon could have done to prevent his death. This was an accident that could have been prevented with far more time on the rebreather, a gag strap, proper training and avoiding such an aggressive dive schedule. Again, Horizon had no control over those conditions.

not sure i agree with your conclusion regards the boat crew. There is no question that Rob reached the surface, had eyes been kept on him it is possible that a rescue could have been effected. the rest resonates with my views