Spearfisher dead after failure to surface - Bondi, Australia

[DandyDon]

I used to enjoy snorkeling and breath-hold diving before I got hooked on scuba. I had never heard of shallow water blackout.

Man dies while free diving off North Bondi

A man has died after he was pulled unconscious from the water off Sydney's North Bondi and couldn't be revived.

www.perthnow.com.au

Man dies while free diving off North Bondi​

A man has died after being pulled from the water off North Bondi in Sydney.

Believed to be 29, he was one of six men free diving and spear fishing on Thursday afternoon.

Emergency workers were called just before 4pm after the man failed to resurface.

Police were told the other men tried to resuscitate him on nearby rocks before lifeguards took him to shore and he was treated by paramedics.

The man, yet to be formally identified, was in a critical condition when he was taken to St Vincent's Hospital, where he later died.
Police said a rescue helicopter crew helped the five others from the rocks, and they were treated for shock.

Videos at other sites show the group on a rock ledge at the bottom of a cliff, the helicopter at the top, and rescue operations involved.

Man who died free diving off North Bondi identified as Louis Touma, 29, as tributes flow for the 'absolute gentleman'​

 

[clownfishsydney]

Was in the press in Sydney and on radio on the Friday. Not the first death there. Conditions were pretty good on Thursday, so unlikely the environment was a contribution.

 

[Fibonacci]

There was an awareness campaign conducted via local spearfishing groups here a few years ago.
Reference

Hypoxic Blackout

Breathholding or purposeful hyperventilation before going underwater is dangerous. It can result in hypoxic or ‘shallow water' blackout caused by a loss of consciousness while underwater due to a lack of oxygen, which can lead to drowning.

www.royallifesaving.com.au

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

He was probably dead before he failed to surface. Just saying.

Prayers.