Scuba diver dies after being found floating at Kurnell, NSW, Australia

[gypsyjim]

I agree, but suggest that chain of custody was broken before the investigation started. I believe the body was recovered by fellow divers as opposed to police divers, and the computer could have been swapped out before the body even came to the surface. Obviously I doubt that this happened, but I think that the fact that it could have happened compromises the evidence.

I would suggest that if you decide to abandon your buddy, and leave them lying on the bottom, rather than attempting to rescue him or her, and do whatever first aid you can because you want to preserve the chain of custody for the evidence, you are going to be enjoying a lot of police interest.

You also probably owe it to any prospective buddies to let them know that you won't be bringing them up with you if they get in trouble, to avoid contaminating the evidence.

 

[nimoh]

I would suggest that if you decide to abandon your buddy, and leave them lying on the bottom, rather than attempting to rescue him or her, and do whatever first aid you can because you want to preserve the chain of custody for the evidence, you are going to be enjoying a lot of police interest.

You also probably owe it to any prospective buddies to let them know that you won't be bringing them up with you if they get in trouble, to avoid contaminating the evidence.

not really sure what your point is, but nowhere did I say that evidence integrity is more important than a rescue attempt, or even a body recovery.

 

[ScubaInChicago]

I would suggest that if you decide to abandon your buddy, and leave them lying on the bottom........You also probably owe it to any prospective buddies to let them know that you won't be bringing them up with you if they get in trouble, to avoid contaminating the evidence.

I thought it was made clear that one of the "buddies" did this, surfaced, then decided to go back for the body found lying on the bottom?

 

[Phil_C]

I thought it was made clear that one of the "buddies" did this, surfaced, then decided to go back for the body found lying on the bottom?

My posts regarding the investigative processes were intended to try to enlighten and throw some light on how to interpret some of the thing which we were being suggested about the investigation, and how such an incident should be investigated in an ideal world. We don't live in an ideal world. It was not intended as a comment about that did happen in the investigation, because I was not a part of it.

This inevitably led to me mentioning or discussing various issues and the thread getting sidelined into hypothetical examples to illustrate some of my points.

Please don't let some of the "interesting" what if's that spun off from what I said imply that any of these things happened in this incident or to take on a life of their own.

Any event like this one can and will be picked over in the cold light of day, and with the benefit of many what if's and maybe's and hindsight (a wonderful thing) - and without the emotions involved at the time. The perspective from an armchair afterwards is very different from that of the person on the scene.

If you are ever unfortunate enough to find yourself having to make the decisions about what to do in a diving emergency, I would say forget theoretical chains of evidence and what might happen in a court many months after the event, react according to common sense and your training and do the best for your buddy.

I have seen too many people not do anything in a "crisis", paralysed into inaction because they are trying to analyse what could be the outcome of their actions - in a life threatening situation, first make sure you are safe, but then act - apply your training and b****r if that screws up any evidence for later. No decent investigator will criticise any action taken to save life etc. just because it has affected his evidence.

When it is clear things are beyond saving - then is the time to worry about securing evidence and so on and not before. - Phil

 

[gypsyjim]

I thought it was made clear that one of the "buddies" did this, surfaced, then decided to go back for the body found lying on the bottom?

Where did you get that angle? One diver found Marcia, as was not able to raise her, and called for assistance. Full rescue was attempted, with rescue breathing even to begin start of AED, when paramedics arrived.
At no point was it considered a body, instead of a diver in distress, until medical personnel made the determination.

 

[ScubaInChicago]

My point is that someone left poor Quero to dive alone as a solo diver (which she didn't have the proper equipment (or training?)) while they continued on with the group. When someone realized that this unfortunate soul was alone after making mentions of equipment problems, it then becomes a priority to reunite. Unfortunately, SHE WAS DEAD... Everything else before and after doesn't really matter except for that split second it would have taken to look around to verify everyone was together and safe.

---------- Post added November 14th, 2013 at 03:02 PM ----------

Where did you get that angle? One diver found Marcia, as was not able to raise her, and called for assistance. Full rescue was attempted, with rescue breathing even to begin start of AED, when paramedics arrived.
At no point was it considered a body, instead of a diver in distress, until medical personnel made the determination.

In order to find someone, they have to be lost....

 

[TSandM]

SIC, have you read the entire thread? It is pretty clear that Marcia wanted to be left alone. If someone does not WANT to dive as a buddy or a team member, you can't make them.

 

[ScubaInChicago]

SIC, have you read the entire thread? It is pretty clear that Marcia wanted to be left alone. If someone does not WANT to dive as a buddy or a team member, you can't make them.

I'm guilty of not reading all 800+ posts.... I'll still stand by the idea that doing a solo dive without the proper equipment or training is begging an outcome like this....

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

My point is that someone left poor Quero to dive alone as a solo diver (which she didn't have the proper equipment (or training?))

Really? Where did you get that info, that she was left to fend for herself. Did you not read post after post about QUERO was asked repeatedly to join the group, yet she refused?

When someone realized that this unfortunate soul was alone after making mentions of equipment problems, it then becomes a priority to reunite.

Again, you did not read all the posts. She was not left alone, she chose to separate from the group. There was no equipment problems. Where did you get that info?

Everything else before and after doesn't really matter except for that split second it would have taken to look around to verify everyone was together and safe.

Really? We are talking about adults here not 5 year old who must hold hands.
And who says nobody looked around? It was mentioned one buddy saw Quero go towards another diver in the group. Do you chase after everybody if they move positions in the water to make sure they are buddied up?

It might be good for you to go back a few pages, there is a synopsis of what has transpired in this thread, all that has been revealed to us on the sidelines. You might want to read that.

---------- Post added November 14th, 2013 at 04:38 PM ----------

I'm guilty of not reading all 800+ posts.... I'll still stand by the idea that doing a solo dive without the proper equipment or training is begging an outcome like this....

Whoa.. where did this become a solo dive??? Dude, seriously, you are creating a lot of drama that is unnecessary and frankly, quite incorrect. Seriously, you need to read the condensed version...

---------- Post added November 14th, 2013 at 04:40 PM ----------

SIC, read post #812, it will get you up to speed..

 

[gypsyjim]

So far off base, it is almost like someone has read another thread completely.

If you aren't even willing to read a thread, what makes you able to pass judgement based on a few bits and pieces of some parts you did look at?