This recent freedive accident was filmed by the victim using a head mounted GoPro camera. I thought that the video was so important that I posted it to the MAKO FB Page and would like to share it here as well.
The diver suffered a loss of Motor Control and almost surely a shallow water black out.
His face fell forward into the water, he lost consciousness and he was not breathing, even though he reached the surface.
The most important lesson from this video is regarding the value and necessity of an attentive and knowledgeable buddy who is VERY close by. He rolled the victim over and quite often when the unconscious diver's brain senses that the face is no longer submerged, breathing will often resume - often divers are blind and immobilized but can still recognize verbal commands, so the buddy telling him to breath is consistent with training.
If the diver is alone and remains face down at the surface, the outcome is likely to be death. The victim is often confused, does not remember what just happened and it is very typical for a diver to deny that they blacked out.
Please note that the audio is very valuable, however it is not safe for work.
I highly recommend that anyone who engages in freediving consider taking a formal freediving course where these safety issues and much more are taught.
Experienced and well trained divers may have other observations or criticisms regarding the incident itself, but it serves a very important lesson that a freediver can "feel fine", apparently look OK on the ascent, reach the surface, yet still black out on the surface.
Thank goodness this whole incident is nothing more than a good safety reminder.
Dive SAFE!
Dano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTr6OmynzSg&feature=youtu.be
The diver suffered a loss of Motor Control and almost surely a shallow water black out.
His face fell forward into the water, he lost consciousness and he was not breathing, even though he reached the surface.
The most important lesson from this video is regarding the value and necessity of an attentive and knowledgeable buddy who is VERY close by. He rolled the victim over and quite often when the unconscious diver's brain senses that the face is no longer submerged, breathing will often resume - often divers are blind and immobilized but can still recognize verbal commands, so the buddy telling him to breath is consistent with training.
If the diver is alone and remains face down at the surface, the outcome is likely to be death. The victim is often confused, does not remember what just happened and it is very typical for a diver to deny that they blacked out.
Please note that the audio is very valuable, however it is not safe for work.
I highly recommend that anyone who engages in freediving consider taking a formal freediving course where these safety issues and much more are taught.
Experienced and well trained divers may have other observations or criticisms regarding the incident itself, but it serves a very important lesson that a freediver can "feel fine", apparently look OK on the ascent, reach the surface, yet still black out on the surface.
Thank goodness this whole incident is nothing more than a good safety reminder.
Dive SAFE!
Dano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTr6OmynzSg&feature=youtu.be
