maggs_the
Contributor
we didn't want to push for information, but last week a diver was picked up by a Dive Paradise boat after being found on the bottom. we were coming in from our dive and the paramedics were attempting CPR but the diver was not revived. he looked to be late 20's and in pretty good shape. i don't know what protocol is for that type of situation, so we were hesitant to ask too many questions for fear of being inconsiderate. we heard thru the rumor mill that he was a local guy and they thought he had vomited in his regulator at depth and did not purge his reg before inhaling causing a chain reaction that lead to his drowning.
it was heartbreaking to not see him cough and sit up after they worked on him so long. lucky for me, we had left by the time his wife got there. she was naturally hysterical and i would not have been able to keep my composure should i have witnessed that. it was difficult enough as it was.
whether we have the correct information or not, it did start discussions amongst the divers as to what we could do should we encounter a situation where we have vomited at depth. supposedly my regulator can compensate (seems i remember hearing something about "you can even vomit in this reg" and i didnt understand the importance of it at the time), but would i think to purge my reg and keep a flow of air bubbles so that as my body reflexively inhales, i inhale wet air instead of just seawater?? i dont know... i hope i can think that clearly.
it was heartbreaking to not see him cough and sit up after they worked on him so long. lucky for me, we had left by the time his wife got there. she was naturally hysterical and i would not have been able to keep my composure should i have witnessed that. it was difficult enough as it was.
whether we have the correct information or not, it did start discussions amongst the divers as to what we could do should we encounter a situation where we have vomited at depth. supposedly my regulator can compensate (seems i remember hearing something about "you can even vomit in this reg" and i didnt understand the importance of it at the time), but would i think to purge my reg and keep a flow of air bubbles so that as my body reflexively inhales, i inhale wet air instead of just seawater?? i dont know... i hope i can think that clearly.