Local diver dead - Antigua

[DandyDon]

OLD ROAD DIVER DIES

The family of an Old Road resident said they are seeking answers from the Mount St John’s Medical Centre (MSJMC) to get a better understanding of how a diver, Andy “DD” Samuel, met his death after he went on an expedition in his community on Saturday morning.

According to reports, the 36-year-old man was transported to hospital via ambulance early in the afternoon after he reportedly encountered breathing difficulties while out at sea.

The deceased’s grieving mother, Roma Samuel, said she is struggling to come to terms with the death of the last of six children.

“I saw him [Saturday] morning; he said: ‘See you, me ah go sea right now’. I [told] him ‘okay’, and that was about after 7 [am]. Nobody told me anything; the ambulance came for him off the boat, took him to hospital and he didn’t get proper attention,” a teary-eyed Samuel told OBSERVER media.

Surrounded by family and friends who offered kind words about the young man they said was hardworking and respectable, the mother tried her best to stay composed.

Samuel’s sister, who did not wish to be named, said the family believes that the deceased was affected by “bends” – an air bubble that travelled to his heart and killed him, but they are of the view that delayed treatment could have caused his untimely demise.

“It happened after 10 am; he got back on the boat that drove back to the dock and the ambulance met them, took him to hospital about 12. Those who were with him said he kept calling the nurses and crying for pain in his stomach, legs and back. He died in Casualty [Emergency Room]. By the time we got there he was dead,” the relative said.

Bends, also known as decompression sickness (DCS), is a condition arising from dissolved gases forming bubbles inside the body and occurs in scuba divers, and high altitude enthusiasts.

 

[wgw04024]

Terrible when anyone passes this way. I don't know anything about Antigua.

How deep? Oxygen administered?
Obviously time is of the essence, but I wonder how far out they were and what kind of boat.

Condolences,
Bill

 

[iamrushman]

diver deaths always hits close to home...condolences to family and friends.