June 29 Diver Death at Casino Point in Catalina

[drbill]

Way ahead of you here as that's one of our standard tests in cases like this. We reconstruct as much as we can. FWIW, you can actually get about 5-7 breaths on a reg that's had the air supply turned off.

5-7 breaths at what SAC rate and depth? Just teasing you, Ken.

Was out at the boat today with a number of folks who were at the dive park when the incident occurred, including some who assisted in various ways. Must admit, given everything I've heard over the last 32 hours, I'm even more confused. Will wait until we hear the official results.

Very sad to see this happen, especially in front of so many students and a few Discover SCUBA folks. I'm, sure it made many of them feel uneasy about diving, but also may have driven home the fact that SCUBA can be life threatening OR that health risks need to be assessed to ensure highest probability of an accident free involvement in the activity OR that it is best to maintain yourself in the best possible shape. Hmmm, excuse me while I go work out.

 

[TSandM]

We were diving in the park on Thursday, and it was only the second time I have been there, but the visibility was markedly decreased in comparison with our trip last year. What I don't know is which state is usual . . . If people are accustomed to the excellent water clarity we had last year, I could easily see buddy separation occurring as a result of the low viz, especially in the shallows, that I saw on Thursday. We PNWers are used to low viz, but it does take some skills and practice to stay together when you can't see very far.

 

[DandyDon]

Those who read and post in this forum could benefit from reading the rules that go along with it once again...especially #4 it seems. Let's all work together and make the diving world a peaceful one. What do ya say?

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/accidents-incidents/52701-special-rules-please-read.html

I know, the special rules of the forum contained in the sticky say (4) No "condolences to the family" here - and I suppose it is a good idea to try to restrict those to the Passings forum. We all are always sorry to hear about anyone's accident or loss I think, but the purpose of this forum is learning and those well mean sentiments can cloud meaningful discussions.

Personally, I don't click the Report button unless problems develop.

 

[drbill]

Good point, Don. I forgot about that (it was added fairly recently, wasn't it??).

 

[jandjdivers]

does anyone have further information on the death of the scuba diver on June 29th? Is there any kind of report in the Catalina news?

 

[joediver318]

I could easily see buddy separation occurring as a result of the low viz, especially in the shallows, that I saw on Thursday. We PNWers are used to low viz, but it does take some skills and practice to stay together when you can't see very far.

Vis was about 30 ft at the worst, so I don't think vis had anything to do with it. Also the scuba gear was recovered quite quickly, it was the first thing the deputy did upon arriving on scene and that was about 5 to 6 minutes at the most after the diver was recovered from the water. The divers who recovered the diver were on top of it, they knew what they were doing, and had set the equipment aside for the authorities.

 

[DandyDon]

Good point, Don. I forgot about that (it was added fairly recently, wasn't it??).

March '07...

 

[reggieferrari]

Nothing has been mentioned in the news. Frankly it was a bit surreal how people just started diving again after they took him away, no one said anything . I personally could not continue for so many reasons. It almost felt like it was this common occurance that happened. I also thought it was strange how None of the deputies were going around asking if anyone saw anything.Then again I am not a cop and I do not know how these things work.

All the same I am still freaked out over the whole incident.

 

[joediver318]

It seemed like the right thing to do.

 

[DandyDon]

Nothing has been mentioned in the news. Frankly it was a bit surreal how people just started diving again after they took him away, no one said anything . I personally could not continue for so many reasons. It almost felt like it was this common occurance that happened. I also thought it was strange how None of the deputies were going around asking if anyone saw anything.Then again I am not a cop and I do not know how these things work.

All the same I am still freaked out over the whole incident.

Should the deputies ask if anyone saw the incident? Didn't you say they were pretty sure it was a medical event? Not much to ask about witnessing.

Continue diving after witnessing such an incident? It's so busy there weekends that it's kinda like slowing down to detour around a wrecked car. Not likely to park it, unless maybe you knew the person. It might have been more traumatic for most if it had been someone from the same boat, more so from the group, even more so if your buddy. I'm sure everyone was affected, bothered, more careful. If you didn't feel up to going in - ok.

Should you give up and quit diving? No more so than if you came upon a car wreck. Take the message of being careful with your health and your diving, but you can't control everything.

PM me if you'd like to chat more privately, ok - tell me what IM services you use? It is good to talk these things out when you were directly affected...