US Expat fatality in Vanuatu

[scubasmacks]

To me, if she really signaled that she "couldn't dive anymore" (10 minutes into the dive), then it would seem like the guide would want to make sure to keep an eye on her and stay close as they were turning the dive, since something is probably wrong. Just doesn't make sense.

 

[yle]

So she passed out at 13 minute mark at 34 meters and sank. The little blip at 15 minute mark is either a seizure or an attempt from the dive guide's part to move/check the diver. She was likely dead at 17 minute mark when she supposedly dived back down.
At least that's how I see it.

It's misleading to assume the little blip around the 15 min mark was due to another person moving the victim. Her computer was on her wrist and the "blip" is only a fraction of a meter (i.e. maybe one or two feet.) It could have been caused by her arm moving up and then down, possibly due to water motion or impact with another object as she fell.

In other words, it's very possible she was alone between the 13 minute and 48 minute marks.

 

[infieldg]

To me, if she really signaled that she "couldn't dive anymore" (10 minutes into the dive), then it would seem like the guide would want to make sure to keep an eye on her and stay close as they were turning the dive, since something is probably wrong. Just doesn't make sense.

So true.

Also the notion that having a deco obligation means you have to scurry off to the surface makes no sense if you have enough air? He exited the ship at 28m after a dozen minutes, how much deco could he HAVE? He would have lost the lot on the way to the first stop surely?

As strongly as I believe we're responsible for our own safety and dislike legislating everything, a guide is still acting as a divemaster on deco dives in a dangerous overhead environment with divers who have usually never been there before. Given that it's unrealistic to require all penetration divers have advanced wreck, two tanks, two torches, a reel, cutting devices, dsmb etc - even though I think they SHOULD - all guides should at least carry two tanks at all times.

 

[Wookie]

So true.

Also the notion that having a deco obligation means you have to scurry off to the surface makes no sense if you have enough air? He exited the ship at 28m after a dozen minutes, how much deco could he HAVE? He would have lost the lot on the way to the first stop surely?

As strongly as I believe we're responsible for our own safety and dislike legislating everything, a guide is still acting as a divemaster on deco dives in a dangerous overhead environment with divers who have usually never been there before. Given that it's unrealistic to require all penetration divers have advanced wreck, two tanks, two torches, a reel, cutting devices, dsmb etc - even though I think they SHOULD - all guides should at least carry two tanks at all times.

Why would those expectations be unrealistic? I see no evidence that she was anything more than a recreational diver. I'm not a fan of legislating scuba either, but this is what happens when father/son teams go into caves to celebrate their new Christmas presents and it's too rough to go offshore. Merry Christmas, you're both dead.

Chances are, whatever happened to her would have happened anyway, and a buddy may or may not have helped, but we teach team diving and redundancy and how to deco and how to enter a wreck so the diver can make an educated decision whether or not to make the dive. This woman never stood a chance. She relied on a guide for a "trust me" dive, and the guide couldn't be trusted. But she had no way of knowing. Any bets that the guide was no more equipped for a big dive than she was?

 

[infieldg]

Why would those expectations be unrealistic? I see no evidence that she was anything more than a recreational diver. I'm not a fan of legislating scuba either, but this is what happens when father/son teams go into caves to celebrate their new Christmas presents and it's too rough to go offshore. Merry Christmas, you're both dead.

Chances are, whatever happened to her would have happened anyway, and a buddy may or may not have helped, but we teach team diving and redundancy and how to deco and how to enter a wreck so the diver can make an educated decision whether or not to make the dive. This woman never stood a chance. She relied on a guide for a "trust me" dive, and the guide couldn't be trusted. But she had no way of knowing. Any bets that the guide was no more equipped for a big dive than she was?

She sure didn't I figured it'd be unrealistic to set a minimum standard only cos their industry probably wouldn't survive it, they seem to survive on taking pretty much anyone down- my friend did 62m on the stern for about his 25th dive, a simple dive sure but given that new divers tend to shoot for the surface when they get in trouble it amazes me there aren't more fatalities.

The night dive to view flashlight fish is something that could end badly, they hand-guided us one-by-one deep into the wreck with our torches off so we had no idea where we were and there were no lines or light to follow out, placed our hands on something to hold then left us there to go back outside and escort the next guy in. Couldn't see our spgs, couldn't find our way out without a guide, and most of them carried one borrowed torch.

 

[Neuatomic]

.... placed our hands on something to hold then left us there to go back outside and escort the next guy in. Couldn't see our spgs, couldn't find our way out without a guide, and most of them carried one borrowed torch.

You've got to be kidding. Good lord. Pitch black?

 

[infieldg]

You've got to be kidding. Good lord. Pitch black?

Yup, literally just a faint green glow from the guide's circular wrist computer as he towed me in by the wrist, I remember it coming and going so it was probably on his other hand. It felt like we immediately turned left, ascended then curved around to the right still going up so I guess we probably ended up in one of the cargo holds between hatches.

Watching the green glow getting smaller as he went to get the next guy was interesting but at least we didn't scare the blue glowy fishies

 

[yle]

Yup, literally just a faint green glow from the guide's circular wrist computer as he towed me in by the wrist, I remember it coming and going so it was probably on his other hand. It felt like we immediately turned left, ascended then curved around to the right still going up so I guess we probably ended up in one of the cargo holds between hatches.

You've just completely redefined "trust-me dive".

Hard to imagine that there's any glowy little critters that are worth taking this kind of risk. Even harder to imagine they do this dive regularly...

 

[MinimalMayhem]

You've just completely redefined "trust-me dive".

Hard to imagine that there's any glowy little critters that are worth taking this kind of risk. Even harder to imagine they do this dive regularly...

At the risk of going OT, I imagine it depends on the conditions and the operator. My experience was was that you could always see the lighter water at the (very big and open) exit easily.

I did this dive with the guys from Allan Power (years ago) and it was one of the most amazing, magical dive experiences I've ever had...and that's not just the narcosis talking.

 

[infieldg]

At the risk of going OT, I imagine it depends on the conditions and the operator. My experience was was that you could always see the lighter water at the (very big and open) exit easily. I did this dive with the guys from Allan Power (years ago) and it was one of the most amazing, magical dive experiences I've ever had...and that's not just the narcosis talking.

Yeah sorry guys I don't want to get OT either, but I think the standard of Coolidge guides and our own bad choices when we follow them is about to BE the topic sadly

Last post - cropped profile showing (best guess) entry, parking up, leaving, and exiting. Never went lower than the entry/exit. We immediately turned left and spent 2m 30s ascending 6m to my spot so yeah pitch black til the blue glow in the distance (amazing eh!), but no chance of seeing the entrance. Bit quicker exiting with torch (smoother too, I must tow like a one axle caravan lol) and I recall turning left and following a wall on my left, dropping and exiting to my right, so our viewing spot was probably between hatches.

Good grief was I only parked up for 5 minutes?!