US Expat fatality in Vanuatu

[DandyDon]

Well said, Ayisha.

I have spoken to Dr Carl Edmonds (lead author of Diving and Subaquatic Medicine) and he indicated to me that the normal physical observation of carbon monoxide poisoning, cherry red colour under the victim’s fingernails, is not very obvious in diving related carbon monoxide poisoning.

Yeah, a cherry read color under the nails would be even more reason to test, but not substantial proof - and a lack of excessive redness would be meaningless.

(1) The only way to know if the tank is safe to dive is to test it, regardless of what other tanks on the same boat tested. Too bad that the Analox model is no longer produced, but I have on of the new Cootwo analyzers coming to try out, and of course I carry my Sensorcon virtually everywhere. (I like to see what the air in my car, in cafes, etc. test as I go thru life, since no one else is checking usually.)

(2) The only way to rule out CO poisoning in a victim is to test. This may well not be possible in many locations, tho.

 

[Coztick]

What a horrible chain of events. As a newer diver with similar training, I feel she was doomed by greed and poor training. What brought it together was the pathetic guide that let it happen. She was obviously not ready to do the penatration portion of the dive. This should have been realized and the dive modified for her own safety. I have been warned more than once after sm certification to not go in overhead's without training... Only by reading lots on the subject do I understand most of the hazards and some of the safety procedures. Bottom line, I'm not ready or qualified to do that dive and I have no trim, weighting, air consumption or comfort issues. Unbelievable that she was allowed in the wreck at all.I can see her thinking it's safe. After all, they are the pro's.
It's just so sad...

 

[clownfishsydney]

As it is not covered or mentioned in the police report or the coroner's report, I think it is a pretty good "guess" that they did not think of testing for it. I only mentioned what the dive instructor saw as there was no indication any test was done but that at least one person had looked for the signs.

 

[Patoux01]

What brought it together was the pathetic guide that let it happen.

How about "what brought it together was herself that signed up for the dive"? She did literally only training dives. Meaning EVERY dive she has done she had been told "do not go in an overhead".

Blaming a guide for taking you somewhere YOU asked him to take you is stupid.

 

[Coztick]

Was she told about overhead's by her resort dive instructor's? I wasn't warned until sm training. Seems common to ignore safety procedures at this site. I get she should have known she wasn't ready but she had a private guide, what could go wrong? I assume the guide was competent enough to know she wasn't ready or equiped for that site.

 

[clownfishsydney]

Laila was not a resort diver, she was qualifed. Again, it is a matter also of people been trained as "advanced" divers or "rescue" divers and thinking they actually are then advanced or able to rescue someone. Who has ever been told when learning to dive to not go in overhead (environment)? Not me. I have asked many friends and not one has ever had this told to them.

In any case, before Laila died on this wreck, not a single person on a dive run by one of the operators had died. That is pretty remarkable on a wreck that goes to 70 metres, every dive is inside the wreck and literally hundreds of dives are done on it most days (or at least used to be). Why? Because the dive operators used to run such strict dives people safety was paramount and they were looked after. The problem is the newish owner of this operation has ignored all this and also employed guides who are no good.

 

[Patoux01]

I wasn't warned until sm training.

I dug up my old OW book, here's what it shows (page 139). Sorry it's in French. Not sorry for the copyrighted materials I just put up online. The book was printed in 2010. Most likely earlier than that for an English version.

The title is "overhead environment", the red line below the picture reads "A surprisingly easy way to die".

I'm aware she did OW in 2004, but her rescue in 2010.

I'm pretty confident it is also in the rescue and AOW course (I can't access the materials anymore however)...


It might not have been told to you Michael, but I believe you did your courses ages ago... so that could explain.

 

[The Chairman]

Way too many divers and unfortunately, a number of dive ops feel that "no overhead" does not apply to them. It's a slippery slope that starts with swim thrus and continues with any penetration that does not provide a continuous line to OW or demand three lights. That this wreck was on it's side would only add to any possible disorientation. All it takes is a moment's distraction and/or inattention and you're lost and soon to be dead. Although made to highlight the dangers of cave diving, it applies to all overheads and so I ask all my students to view this video:

​

 

[Coztick]

It seems to me, overhead's were mentioned like a disclaimer. The danger was mentioned but no explanation was given. Like it had to be said for liability reasons. I don't think it should be mentioned during OW classes. Heck, don't wanna scare anybody. Scuba is fun and safe....After the OW dives and Before the cert. Is issued, I feel all students should have to watch the video and receive more information about the new dangers they can now access with their OW cert. Common sense is rare and doesn't apply to the overconfident. Maybe teach the dangers, test the knowledge and have them sign an agreement to stay within their limits of training? You, as an instructor, can't fix stupid but you owe it to the smart ones to emphasise the unseen dangers of this new environment. I know most of my scuba knowledge comes from scubaboard members!... THANK YOU ALL....

Kevin

 

[The Chairman]

I don't think it should be mentioned during OW classes.

I think you're being facetious, but I'm not sure.

Diving is all about limits. Depth, time and air are the three most obvious limits, but there are myriads of them like training, stamina, skills and so forth. If your OW course doesn't adequately define these limits for you who will? Darwin's not such a great teacher if you're the object of his lesson. I'm happy that SB fills in a lot of the gaps that should have been done by your instructor, but it doesn't have to be that way. Hopefully, people as well as instructors, will look at this and learn.