San Miguel Island Fatality - Channel Islands, California

[DandyDon]

Scuba Diver Dies Near San Miguel Island

A scuba diver died Wednesday afternoon after being reported in distress near San Miguel Island, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

A county helicopter with paramedics on board was dispatched to the island at about 2:45 p.m., said fire Capt. Dave Zaniboni.


The victim, a 62-year-old man whose name was not released, had been aboard a dive boat at the time, Zaniboni said.

When rescuers arrived, they discovered the man had passed away, Zaniboni said.

The victim’s body was being flown to the Santa Barbara Airport, where it was to be picked up by county coroner’s personnel, Zaniboni said.

The man reportedly went into cardiac arrest, and CPR efforts were made but were unsuccessful, according to emergency radio traffic.

No information was available on the nature of the man’s distress, Zaniboni said.

 

[DandyDon]

Scuba Diver Who Died Near San Miguel Island Identified as Malibu Man

 

[catone]

Copy of a comment to the above article, posted by billgeorge:

"Craig Mattox was an accomplished "waterman" who swam competitively on the Pierce College swimming team before becoming a Los Angeles County Ocean Lifeguard at ZUMA Beach. He enjoyed the challenge of big surf rescues and when you worked next to his tower you knew you could depend on him for back-up in any multiple rescue situation; you knew, "He had your back". Craig was a very good S.C.U.B.A. diver and worked as a commercial urchin diver with a hookah set-up."

So not a novice diver.
RIP