Inquest rules death of Brentwood diver caused by failed breathing gear - UK

[DandyDon]

Accident previously discussed on SB at http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/accidents-and-incidents/485220-two-divers-dead-english-channel.html

Inquest rules death of Brentwood diver caused by failed breathing gear | Brentwood Gazette

A DIVER from Brentwood died after his equipment failed when he was exploring a ship wreck, an inquest heard.
Christopher Mehegan, 45, who lived in London Road, was diving off the Eastbourne coast with Peter Stanning at the time of his death, Eastbourne Coroner's Court heard.
The two men were part of a ten-strong group of experienced divers who went out on the English Channel to see the Persiana, a wreck near Beachy Head, on June 14 last year.
On Monday, the inquest into their deaths heard how Mr Stanning had been diving with his wife Diane when he first noticed a problem with his oxygen reading, which was about 0.5 below what it should have been.
He started manually injecting oxygen into his re-breather but just a short while later began convulsing before falling unconscious.
David Crockford, a diving expert who analysed Mr Stanning's equipment following his death, told how three cells in the handset were much older than the recommended age – a factor that would likely cause issues with the accuracy of the device's oxygen readings.
He told the court how the low reading on Mr Stanning's handset had been incorrect and the oxygen level had been sufficient.
Therefore, when the 44-year-old injected more oxygen into his unit, it became too much and resulted in oxygen poisoning.
Mr Mehegan, an engineer by trade, had seen his co-diver come into difficulties and with three other divers, had sent him up to the surface for assistance. However, he ran into trouble himself when one of his inflator hoses burst.
The court heart how, combined with the distress of witnessing Mr Stanning's situation, Mr Mehegan became panicked and had problems breathing. He tried to rearrange his kit but as nothing seemed to help, he made the decision to bolt for the surface.
He was unconscious by the time he got there and a post-mortem examination gave his cause of death as a diffuse gas embolism and a burst lung.
Martin Parker, examining Mr Mehegan's equipment, told the court how the large hose had been cut to fit it into a small holding, which had over time cut away at the hose, allowing water to get in.
Coroner Alan Craze recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

 

[rigdiver]

Yes, replace those O2 cells once a year as recommended.
The hose was "jury rigged." On a rebreather you can never be too careful.
Know your PO2. Not followed.
Complacency kills. Not a factory crimp on the hose.
Sad.

 

[daniel f aleman]

Too sad. But...