Incident at White Star Quarry, 6/9/09

[Thalassamania]

are you indicating that the gentleman at the surface should have gone down with only 300lbs or are you just stating facts? If you are stating a fact you should have said they were low on air and could not dive. 300lbs is not even enough to start rescue mode, as assistant commander of a local Sheriff's dive team I would never ask anyone to even think of diving with less than a full tank in rescue mode.

Not rescuing a victim from 40 feet with 300 psi (or just freediving for that matter) is likely to turn a rescue into a recovery. I'm sure glad that the chance of my needing assistance in your jurisdiction is passing small.

 

[d_lafleur]

As a special note, the female Divemaster said several other people saw and heard victim's buddy screaming for help but this site is commonly used for Rescue Class and therefore many thought this was a class until she was said it wasn't.

Pizza Pizza!! is what we use when doing emergency training. "Help" is not allowed unless it's real.

 

[Pearldiver07]

Pizza Pizza!! is what we use when doing emergency training. "Help" is not allowed unless it's real.

PADI is trying to discourage the "Pizza Pizza" call, worrying that people will not react well in a real life event. (I am going to withhold personal opinion on this position).

So my suggestion has been "Help, this is training"... etc. I figure that in a real life, they'll be yelling for help and that it isn't training. Given the number of real incidents where everyone thinks it is training at first, I figure "Help, this is real!" or something of that nature will shave off a few seconds in any event.

Hey, you can only get so real without causing too much unnecessary reaction.

 

[Busdiver]

PADI is trying to discourage the "Pizza Pizza" call, worrying that people will not react well in a real life event. (I am going to withhold personal opinion on this position).


The reported surface response indicates that when people realized it was an emergency they jumped into action full bore. I believe that PADI is getting this one wrong by discouraging the Pizza Pizza call. I also acknowledge that you are withholding your own personal opinion.

I believe that training centers need to post signs at entry points that state a rescue class is in progress. I do believe this is done at Whitestar but cannot verify if it was done on the day of this accident. Signs and Pizza Pizza calls will help people realize a training is in place so when a "Help" goes up there is no delay.

And why would anyone hesitate to assist with a rescue in 40 feet of water with 300 PSI? Especially in a quarry that is very bright with great viz. I too will hopefully never need rescuing in that deputy's region.

 

[stevejaz]

And why would anyone hesitate to assist with a rescue in 40 feet of water with 300 PSI? Especially in a quarry that is very bright with great viz. I too will hopefully never need rescuing in that deputy's region.

That was my initial reaction as well. But given that this was an older gentlemen, new diver, and a panicked diver that may have already spent untold time to try and execute a rescue unsuccessfully, it was probably the right response. Hard to say.


Now, as for the assistant's comments, heading into an unknown situation, I'd understand that comment but I'd sure as heck surface swim/snorkel trying to locate and then execute a rescue if possible with the remaining air.

 

[Thalassamania]

I have no problem with the newbie passing on the rescue ... my problem is with the statement by the PSD. He's way out of line.

 

[timegan]

Not rescuing a victim from 40 feet with 300 psi (or just freediving for that matter) is likely to turn a rescue into a recovery. I'm sure glad that the chance of my needing assistance in your jurisdiction is passing small.

Agreed 100%...I'm an air hog...40' bounce dive w 300psi..."no"..but to save a life hell ya!! It won't put you into a chamber....and as mentioned she was un responsive and wasn't going to fight or panic on rescue. Is rescue diving all about oneself or the victim?

 

[aoberhaus]

In all rescue operations it is the saftey of the rescuer that comes first. If the rescuer is trapped or injured then that resource is gone and 2 more crews will need to be brought in to rescue the original victem and now the rescuer that needs help. saftey considerations are made as self 1st, crew 2nd, public 3rd, and then the patient.

 

[TheAquaticApe]

I wasn't on the spot so I appreciate the additional information. Glad to hear that she was breathing on her own.

I wasn't suggesting anything except that those were his words. There was supposedly quite a bit of gear lying about or so I was told, but once again I was not on the scene.

 

[Thalassamania]

If a 40 foot free dive is outside of his capabilities or a 40 dive with 300 psi in a quarry with good visibility compromises the his safety ... he's in the wrong business. If he's unwilling to stick his neck out that tiny bit ... he's in the wrong business. I don't consider myself a PSD, but I did serve in two of the Alameda County Sheriff's Dive Units so I know a bit about it.