Tourist lost - Cozumel

[DandyDon]

I think this sums up the best advice well...

I’ve often read that, if near a wall, either swim to to wall and climb up or swim out away from wall to get out of the “waterfall”. I’ve also read to swim left or right as in a rip tide as the current usually is no that wide? Depending on how fast you get dragged down, you’d have to think and act very quickly… which in the panic of the moment may be easier said than done?

I'm not sure I buy the suggestion to swim across the current tho, as they may be wide, much wider than thick. If you climb the wall, that you don't want to be touching anyway, you still have to cross the waterfall at the top of the wall. I prefer to swim away from the wall to get out of the down current, then ascend, but may not feel comfortable with a blue water ascent.

 

[Hiszpan]

We have a first hand witness of a down current pulling a diver down suddenly. I think that is a significant occurrence. No speculation, facts.

When I was reading description of what happened I couldn’t stop to wonder if that’s what happened to the @northernone, a forum member who disappeared on his solo dive (not sure if I spell the nickname correctly)

 

[Boarderguy]

A buddy of mine dives there annually and was surprised to hear they were anywhere near the wall at that point in the dive. A new diver on the boat he was on last year was swept out at the stop. He was fortunately swept laterally and not vertically.

 

[Kimela]

So far, it seems the 'lesson learned' here for me is to swim away from the wall if I am aware of a down current (watch the sea fans and fish? Be aware if the current is beginning to pull me down?) - and know that if this happens to me I may not have the presence of mind to do what I just said, and/or it may happen faster than I can react. The ocean is mostly predictable for what we are doing as recreational divers, but when it's not, we are at its mercy. That's my 2 cents, and I mean absolutely no disrespect for the deceased - no blame. I can only imagine the anguish of the wife and crew.

 

[GameChanger]

We have a first hand witness of a down current pulling a diver down suddenly. I think that is a significant occurrence. No speculation, facts.

When I was reading description of what happened I couldn’t stop to wonder if that’s what happened to the @northernone, a forum member who disappeared on his solo dive (not sure if I spell the nickname correctly)

As I recall reading, he was using a scooter that had some modifications. I was actually in Coz when this accident happened. The mood amongst the DM's/Op's was very solemn.

 

[gopbroek]

As I recall reading, he was using a scooter that had some modifications.

A friend of mine uses a scooter. A few months back it flooded and went from neutral bouancy to heavily negative. He stated it took everything he had with his wing inflated, bouy and finning to get it back to the surface.
We will never know if this happened to Cameron but it got me wondering.

 

[Boarderguy]

A friend of mine uses a scooter. A few months back it flooded and went from neutral bouancy to heavily negative. He stated it took everything he had with his wing inflated, bouy and finning to get it back to the surface.
We will never know if this happened to Cameron but it got me wondering.

That is why we should all carry at least 1 DSMB and a small lift bag when running a scooter. Clip it off to either bag and send it up. My 6'x6" dsmb will lift a travel black tip. My 75lb bag will pull a couple of them to the surface.

 

[Marie13]

A friend of mine uses a scooter. A few months back it flooded and went from neutral bouancy to heavily negative. He stated it took everything he had with his wing inflated, bouy and finning to get it back to the surface.
We will never know if this happened to Cameron but it got me wondering.

You have to be ready to ditch the scooter, camera, whatever expensive piece of gear if keeping it puts your life in danger. It’s just stuff.

 

[MrChen]

This has been an informative conversation, I just ordered myself a windstorm whistle and a miniature stainless steel signaling device.

 

[BLee88]

This has been an informative conversation, I just ordered myself a windstorm whistle and a miniature stainless steel signaling device.

Ditto - I just ordered the storm whistle after reading this thread and am reassessing my octo location.

Very sad situation but hoping to learn

Much appreciate @gopbroek and the detailed write up too