Missing Diver off of Kahala, Oahu, Hawaii

[divermike1011]

Halemano: I'll PM you about diving regulations/oversight as I don't think I was clear in what I was asking, and it's pretty fair outside the scope this particular thread.

Everyone else: Today was my first day back in the water since last Sunday (stupid real job) and the unconfirmed reports on the waterfront are that another charter operator retrieved three other IDH divers on the same dive (two came up on the wrong anchor line 300 yards from their own, and one was found alive, happy and drifting on the surface). If this is true then the conditions were likely too rough for the divers being splashed. It's also very sobering because think of how much larger in scope this event might have been... Just to be clear these reports are unconfirmed at the moment, so if you were there and can tell us what actually happened please do -- what was reported to me today is incorrect let me know and I'll redact this post.

Michael

 

[zrxdiver]

This post is for anyone following the facts of the case and not misinformed opinions based on unconfirmed information.

A buddie team came up the 3rd wrecks mooring line and suraced with a boat that was tied to it. Those two and all the other divers in a few small groups, the rest with the DIVE INSTRUCTORS(not DMs) and surface markers, all surface about the same time within 300FT of eachother and the OPs boat. I think there were 4 groups. They were all picked up quickly. Maybe 5mins. I didnt see anyone surface alone. Before the last divers were even picked up the OPs boat was calling us on the radio saying his divers got spread out to keep an eye out.

AGAIN, THREE DIVE COMPANIES WERE DIVING IN THE SAME AREA AT THE SAME TIME!

 

[divermike1011]

You just confirmed what I wrote in my post, so thank you Zrxdiver. Most dive pros acting in the capacity of DM (or dive guide) on Oahu are at a minimum OWSIs, but that's not really the point. The point is divers on a guided dive got separated from the group and at least two of them were lucky enough to find a mooring line with a boat on it and get picked up. If a DM is going to take on the responsibility of leading a guided dive one one of their primary duties is not lose their divers or allow them to become separated. If conditions don't allow for close supervision of the divers being lead then a decision needs to be made on whether to make the dive. Since we have one diver missing, presumed dead, and from your own account at least two divers who went to the wrong boat I think it looks more and more like diving that site on that day was a poor decision.

I think one of the problems with doing a drift dive on Oahu is by and large the divers are either not experienced enough for it, or, if they are, if they're renting a standard set of gear may not have the proper gear for it.

This drives home the point that divers really need to be aware enough of both their skills and their surroundings to make their own decisions. If a dive operator is willing to take novice divers out without ensuring that they have that awareness then in becomes incumbent upon them to ensure their divers all get back on the boat they started from alive, and uninjured. Losing a buddy team off doing their own dive is one thing, losing divers on a guided dive indicates unsafe conditions existed.

Michael

 

[zrxdiver]

100s of divers, of varying skill levels, do drift dives in this area every month in similiar conditions.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

So you know there were many days of mentions in the news, both print and TV, and we seem to know the deceased was not "booked" with anybody (ie single diver) but did any of the reports ever state that he for sure was not assigned a buddy. There are plenty of internet stories about insta-buddies who disappeared after splashing; if there was an assignment of buddies, perhaps in this case one of the insta-buddies disappeared after splashing.

 

[zrxdiver]

Divermike1011 wrote: "You just confirmed what I wrote in my post, so thank you Zrxdiver."

I am not confirming anything! Again, conditions were not to rough. Three dive boats were diving the same place on the same day.

I saw 3 groups of 5 or so divers surface surface withing 100yds of the OPs boat with surface markers, just shy of the last wreck along the drift line. There are 3 wrecks in an east west line. The two other divers were not picked up by another boat. They simply ascended on the mooring line of the last wreck, and another dive boat was moored there. The OP boat picked their divers up in about 5 mins.

Maybe they all intened to ascend on the mooring line of the last wreck and didnt make it due to bottom time or air.
Maybe they seperated in to 3 or 4 groups, based on air consumption, on purpose. There's no need to stay as one group of 15+ divers.

 

[Tricia]

The only problem is that an instabuddy can be just as bad as diving buddyless.

Agreed, but at least with an instabuddy, he might get back on the boat and notice you were missing.

I'm really surprised at this because I'm often a solo traveller and when I get to the dive op, I make sure they get me a buddy, even (and especially) if I'm doing a group dive. If the dive op doesn't do it, then I ID the other single divers and go up to them and ask if they'll be my buddy, pointing out that even though it's a guided dive, it's smart practice to keep an eye on each other. Most of the time, they completely agree with me and I've met some nice people that way!

Apart from that [and monitors, feel free to edit this if it's wrong to say it here], I am just so saddened to learn that this young man was a doctor specialising in Emergency Medicine. I have been on boats where "things happened" and having a fellow diver who's a doctor is fantastic. This guy's disappearance is a real loss for the diving community. I for one, can assure you that this man is the kind of guy I like to have on a dive boat with me. So sad.

Trish

 

[cruiser]

Thanks for the additional info, and having it confirmed. Sounds like the guided dive got way out of control. Very scary and a wakeup call about awareness on a dive, even if guided.

You just confirmed what I wrote in my post, so thank you Zrxdiver. Most dive pros acting in the capacity of DM (or dive guide) on Oahu are at a minimum OWSIs, but that's not really the point. The point is divers on a guided dive got separated from the group and at least two of them were lucky enough to find a mooring line with a boat on it and get picked up. If a DM is going to take on the responsibility of leading a guided dive one one of their primary duties is not lose their divers or allow them to become separated. If conditions don't allow for close supervision of the divers being lead then a decision needs to be made on whether to make the dive. Since we have one diver missing, presumed dead, and from your own account at least two divers who went to the wrong boat I think it looks more and more like diving that site on that day was a poor decision.

I think one of the problems with doing a drift dive on Oahu is by and large the divers are either not experienced enough for it, or, if they are, if they're renting a standard set of gear may not have the proper gear for it.

This drives home the point that divers really need to be aware enough of both their skills and their surroundings to make their own decisions. If a dive operator is willing to take novice divers out without ensuring that they have that awareness then in becomes incumbent upon them to ensure their divers all get back on the boat they started from alive, and uninjured. Losing a buddy team off doing their own dive is one thing, losing divers on a guided dive indicates unsafe conditions existed.

Michael

 

[zrxdiver]

Divermike1011's recent post ended in... "if you were there and can tell us what actually happened please do -- what was reported to me today is incorrect let me know and I'll redact this post."

I was there.
What was reported was incorrect.
Divermike1011 did not redact his post?

I repeat. No other boat picked up any IDH divers. No diver surfaced alone.

 

[Matts Cousin]

Well its apparent your not going to look at the reality of the situation so sorry I cant convince you of the realities of real life dive mastering and how there is no way in the conditions mentioned if accurate a divemaster would be able to watch every diver every second of the dive. I wont continue this particular debate any further as i will focus on the issue at hand and wait for the facts to unravel if we are fortunate enough to ever learn the truth.
On a sidenote guys is the family still popping in? I know they came in earlier in the thread and I was wondering if they have been told anything new or could help with an update.

All - first thank you for the concern and prayers. A lot of speculation as to what happened that day - there is on going investigation by the authorties and I am sure once they conclude it more details will be released. The comments, opinions and even the disagreements posted should not be taken lightly....keep the discussion going so this type of tragedy can be avoided in the future. For those of you who love and enjoy this sport....stay safe. A memorial service is being planned for Matt this coming weekend.

Please - stay safe!