Unknown Tourist dead, Dive Master ill - Ambergris Caye, Belize

[A Bajo]

this just hit my inbox in the latest InDepth
Gas Analysis: Protecting Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
I found it selling for over 400 usd, I don't see anything about replacing the sensor although they do say to use a flow restrictor

 

[LFMarm]

this just hit my inbox in the latest InDepth
Gas Analysis: Protecting Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
I found it selling for over 400 usd, I don't see anything about replacing the sensor although they do say to use a flow restrictor

There are cheaper options available.

 

[LFMarm]

Can you please share some photos on how these 2 units connect? I am now all of a sudden paranoid about this and will be testing all the things

I don't have them with me to take a picture but they are connected with this small hose Divesoft Connection Hose

 

[DaveWKC]

I don't have them with me to take a picture but they are connected with this small hose Divesoft Connection Hose

THANK YOU!

 

[Laminappropria]

Apparently not the first time someone has died with this operator. No answers or investigations after the last accident either.

 

[Laminappropria]

Tourist drowns while diving off Ambergris Caye

Seventy-two-year-old Mona Bhatti, a doctor visiting from the United States, apparently drowned in the waters of the Caribbean Sea off San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye on Monday.

www.breakingbelizenews.com

Another incident with the same operator. No answers here either.

 

[coldwaterglutton]

Well I was headed to Ambergris next season, and I know now which operator to avoid.

 

[DaveWKC]

Can we start some like of "warning list" or "blacklist" of known terrible operators with deaths and coverups? More of a "Buyer-beware" type thing? Maybe there is one already, but it would be nice to have something like that broken down my region/country. Because I know I will never give that operator any of my money, and I'd love to know who to avoid in the future.

 

[MidOH]

I'm just answering the question... but if someone is asking how to analyze a tank at all in the first place, indeed we have a/the problem.

We have a problem.

And how do you test the tester? Turn it on near a cars exhaust pipe and see if it alarms?

Can we start some like of "warning list" or "balcklist" of known terrible operators with deaths and coverups? More of a "Buyer-beware" type thing? Maybe there is one already, but it would be nice to have something like that broken down my region/country. Because I know I will never give that operator any of my money, and I'd love to know who to avoid in the future.

Because it would quickly cover almost half the dive ops out there. This ain't exactly a professional hobby. Consider it, swim at your own risk.

You can get a good feel for stuff, if you spend too much time in the accidents forum.

I did notice that, on my last trip to Belize, they struggled to fill tanks. Many of us were shorted on air. Myself especially.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I came here specifically to read about this incident ... having seen allusions to it on another forum. It's a difficult read in some respects ... and brings back some memories of a similar incident in Roatan several years ago. I had just dived at the resort and shortly after returning home read about the death of the DM we'd had, along with another client. And I could almost see how it happened ... this incident bears some remarkable similarities.

The most concerning thing here is that the dive operator suppressed an investigation ... that should be a gigantic red flag to avoid that operation at all costs. A legitimate dive operator is going to WANT to know what happened ... but that's assuming they didn't already know that they were cutting some dangerous corners. Since there's no investigation ... and by now all the evidence has been "disappeared" ... the only firm takeaway is that this is not a dive operator who puts much thought into safety ... or even basic safety protocols. Factor that into your dive plans and risk management considerations ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)