SeawolfOrca
New
Steve was a a PADI Master instructor and TDI tech instructor. He’d been teaching others his passion - including 3 of our children- since 2000. I haven’t been able to source a grief counsellor - apparently, my needs are “too complex”. And it hurts that his story wasn’t told when others are out in the news regularly.
I can’t share what happened to him after he ascended to 15metres because his body was never found. After extensive searches by the coastguard, police, and privately, the police advised that it’s unlikely his body will ever be found. It’s most likely on the bottom of the ocean still. He was a tech diver. He was wearing a rebreather and multiple tanks. A lot of weight. With his experience and expertise it’s most likely that whatever happened was instant - otherwise he would have surfaced. He carried an emergency beacon but it’s never transmitted.
I can say that the process of achieving a presumption of death certificate is horrendous. And that DAN were most unhelpful when trying to claim on his DAN insurance. They need a post mortem, and couldn’t grasp that without a body that’s impossible. It took many months and threats of legal action .
My takeaway would be, never be complacent (he wasn’t btw) , ensure your loved ones face reality that diving is inherently dangerous, be sure to read the fine print on any insurance, always wear an emergency beacon, and if possible, wear a mask that allows verbal communication between divers.
