“Inner Space” diver dead - Grand Cayman

[DandyDon]

"Inner Space, taking place May 23-30, is in its 12th year and is billed as the world’s largest rebreather event."

Police reveal death of another visiting diver

(CNS): A 53-year-old man visiting the Cayman Islands from Clearwater, Florida, died while diving in West Bay almost one week ago, police have now revealed. John Michael Killanin was in Grand Cayman participating in an annual dive event known as Inner Space, police said, when he got into difficulties on the morning of Friday 29 May and became the ninth visitor to die in local waters this year. Officers from the RCIPS Joint Marine Unit are now investigating the man’s death.
An hour into the dive Killanin reportedly experienced difficulties with strong currents, off Cobalt Coast, and was assisted to the surface by his dive buddy.
The distressed diver was said to be unconscious as he reached the surface and dive personnel present assisted with CPR. He was taken to the shore, where he was met by an ambulance and taken to the George Town hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor around 12:40pm.
Killanin had arrived in Cayman on Saturday 23 May and is the ninth person to lose his life at sea in the Cayman Islands this year, including 47-year-old Norman Lee, who is presumed to have died while snorkelling but whose body has never been recovered. An American comic artist, Lee went missing off the coast of the Reef Resort in East End in March.

 

[KathyV]

Diver dies off West Bay :: Cayman Compass

Diver dies off West Bay

Tourist was in Cayman for Tech diving event

By: James Whittaker

05 June, 2015

An American tourist died after getting into difficulties diving off West Bay.

John Michael Killanin, from Clearwater Florida, was in Grand Cayman for DiveTech’s annual Inner Space event, for technical divers.

He was an hour into his dive last Friday when he experienced difficulties with strong currents off Cobalt Coast, according to a police statement.

His dive buddy helped him to the surface and signaled for assistance. The pair were picked up by the dive boat and staff attempted CPR on Mr. Killanin, who was unconscious.

The 53-year-old was transported to the Cayman Islands Hospital in George Town where he was pronounced dead at 12:40 p.m.

Nancy Easterbrook of DiveTech offered her condolences to the victim’s family but declined to comment further. Police said in a statement that they are investigating.

Inner Space is an annual week-long event for experienced technical divers, using sophisticated equipment, known as closed circuit rebreathers, to dive longer and deeper than is possible on ordinary scuba gear.

A website promoting the event states, “CCR Divers from new recreational divers through deep trimix divers journey to Grand Cayman, diving at various depths based on their certification limits, from 60 to 400 feet on dives lasting for 3 hours.”

---------- Post added June 7th, 2015 at 06:31 PM ----------

https://caymannewsservice.com/2015/06/police-reveal-death-of-another-visiting-diver/

Police reveal death of another visiting diver

Cayman News | 04/06/2015

(CNS): A 53-year-old man visiting the Cayman Islands from Clearwater, Florida, died while diving in West Bay almost one week ago, police have now revealed. John Michael Killanin was in Grand Cayman participating in an annual dive event known as Inner Space, police said, when he got into difficulties on the morning of Friday 29 May and became the ninth visitor to die in local waters this year.
Officers from the RCIPS Joint Marine Unit are now investigating the man’s death.

An hour into the dive Killanin reportedly experienced difficulties with strong currents, off Cobalt Coast, and was assisted to the surface by his dive buddy.

The distressed diver was said to be unconscious as he reached the surface and dive personnel present assisted with CPR. He was taken to the shore, where he was met by an ambulance and taken to the George Town hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a medical doctor around 12:40pm.

Killanin had arrived in Cayman on Saturday 23 May and is the ninth person to lose his life at sea in the Cayman Islands this year, including 47-year-old Norman Lee, who is presumed to have died while snorkelling but whose body has never been recovered. An American comic artist, Lee went missing off the coast of the Reef Resort in East End in March.

The oceans victims were all visitors to Cayman but the first person to be killed at sea was a Cuban migrant. Manuel Marino-Rodriguez (51) drowned on 3 January when the vessel he was in capsized in rough waters off the coast of South Sound.

An 88-year-old male cruise ship visitor from the Ukraine died on Seven Mile Beach on 12 January, and just two days later a 63-year-old man visiting from America died while snorkeling in East End. On 26 January a 71-year-old snorkeller also drowned off the east coast near to Morritt’s. In February a 60-yearold man from Florida died following a dive on Little Cayman. In March a 70-year-old diver from Texas died following a dive off Seven Mile Beach and a 62-year-old man from North Port, Alabama died during a dive trip off Lover’s Wall in East End.