Hydro Atlantic Incident 9-30-2012

[HowardE]

However, it could also kill him in 40 feet, say if the tank was mixed with PP bleding, and someboody forgot to add air and then somebody else forgot to analyze it... and the diver failed to notice that tank was partially filled and just went diving with it and figured he would check his pressure gage a few minutes into a dive.... In other words... if you don't follow standard protocols, you could be descending with a tank filled with 100% oxygen (and not know it).

I think this accident will motivate me to be more diligent in my checking of "air" tanks...

That wasn't really her question though.

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[JamesK]

This is a tragedy. My sincere condolences go out o all that were there, his family and friends.

This was an avoidable mistake, and the lesson to be learned has already been put out. Analyze every tank, every dive.

I myself was guilty of forgetting to analyze tanks two weeks ago. I was waiting for some friends and setting up or a cave dive. My tanks were filled by my favorite dive shop in the area. One that I know I can trust. I set up my tanks, set them in the water and got geared up. Dry suit in the hit Florida sun. No fun. I walked to the water, clipped in my tanks and checked the valves an SPG's. It was then I noticed I had not analyzed the tanks. Now keep in mind I said I trusted this shop. These guys are top notch. Did I just do the dive. Nope. Out of the water to analyze the tanks. Of course they were the correct mix, but I was not taking that chance. Every tank, every time.

Again, I am very sorry to everyone involved who has been effected by this and hope others will learn.

 

[boulderjohn]

I have another thread about the benefit of learning to use Nitrox. (which I haven't yet) I do not understand why an OW diver accidentally grabbing a Nitrox tank and doing a normal 60ft or less dive would die? If you took the Nitrox course, would you not be doing the same thing - only with an understanding of what you are breathing- or do you actually perform differently while breathing Nitrox. (can't imagine how)

Oxygen becomes toxic when breathed under enough pressure. The more oxygen in the mix, the lower the pressure under which it can be breathed safely. Opinions differ on that margin of safety, but a common standard for an example would say that nitrox that is 32% O2 can be breathed safely down to 111 feet. Going deeper than that become less and less safe, with the time spent at that depth also being a factor.

The reason that diving with nitrox without knowing it is dangerous is because if you think you are using air, you might dive below the safe depth for that mix of nitrox. The reason Howard said you are safe diving in the situation you describe (60 feet) is that all commonly used mixes of nitrox are safe at that depth.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

That wasn't really her question though.

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Her question was: I do not understand why an OW diver accidentally grabbing a Nitrox tank and doing a normal 60ft or less dive would die?

I think my explanation was right on topic...?

There have been deaths were people forget to check their mix (this thread is another example).

There have been deaths where people forget to check the pressure and jump in with a partially filled or "empty" tank.. I knew a guy who actually died from that.

I have personally seen where a PP filled tank did NOT get filled with air because somebody forgot to simply turn a knob and was distracted when filling a bunch of tanks.

Although my scenario is quite unlikely, it is conceivable that a series of errors could unfold that may result in a tank killing a clueless diver in 40 feet..

 

[JamesK]

I have personally seen where a PP filled tank did NOT get filled with air because somebody forgot to simply turn a knob and was distracted when filling a bunch of tanks.
]

Even if that was the case, that tank should have never made it to the boat/customer etc. The blender should have been analyzing tanks free the blend was complete thus catching it.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Even if that was the case, that tank should have never made it to the boat/customer etc. The blender should have been analyzing tanks free the blend was complete thus catching it.

People should never smoke in bed too...

 

[JamesK]

People should never smoke in bed too...

Touché. I am not saying it could not happen, I am just further stating that it is very unlikely to happen as it should already have been tested twice before it even makes it to the boat.

 

[caseybird]

snip It seems
like there may have been various "life" factors leading up to this
tragic accident that may or may not have contributed to this terrible
tragedy. The bottom line though is that the Hydro is a serious tech dive
not a sport dive and not ever to be taken lightly. snip

I'm sorry about your friend. My sincere condolences.
There is another first rule of diving that we need to remember: "Any diver can call any dive at any time for any reason."
Sometimes you just might not be ready to do the challenging dive with deco, gas switches and careful timing. Analyze yourself, and if you are not prepared to focus and execute the flawless dive, just stop. There's always another day, another dive.
Maybe an easy 60 foot dive gliding over a reef is exactly what you need to relax and recharge.
It works for me.
Best of luck going forward.

 

[scubacouple]

A recreational diver grabbing a tank of nitrox that is less than 40% (recreational mixes) most likely wouldn't have trouble where convulsion is the result. You will easily understand this once you take your nitrox training.

Howard you are very knowledgeable but this is not necessarily true. I've had many days doing 4 or 5 tanks where I've wound my O2 clock way up. The wrong tank could easily have me take a hit. The majority of divers are not doing that but there are plenty that are...

---------- Post Merged at 11:05 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 10:56 PM ----------

I learned this the hard way over the years after putting myself in bad situations under deco. It took me a few times sitting there under deco, feeling like hell and wishing like hell I had not done the deep dive I didn't feel up to that day. Now I'm older and wiser and have no problem saying I'm gonna pass on today's dive if i don't feel right. It's a very good point you brought up. It's more important to deco divers because once you are committed no matter how bad you feel your in it until your done your obligation. But you really brought up something good for others to chew on. You don't have to do your dive. If you're not feeling it then pull the plug. There is always another day, another dive, unless there isn't because you didn't listen to your body/mind...

 

[danvolker]

Howard you are very knowledgeable but this is not necessarily true. I've had many days doing 4 or 5 tanks where I've wound my O2 clock way up. The wrong tank could easily have me take a hit. The majority of divers are not doing that but there are plenty that are...

If a diver, like you, is pushing their O2 clock with 4 or 5 nitrox dives in a day, then you..or this diver, would be careful to analyze each tank and have each marked..or they/you would "expect" to become a statistic. Howard's comment was about an air diver, on a recreational dive, accidentally grabbing a nitrox tank...