How many people disappear?

[Scott L]

It would be hard to believe that such an incident would not be detected by DandyDon...

 

[lamont]

Sounds like its about 10% truth, and about 90% ghost story.

We've had at last two divers go missing around here -- both drowned, both not recovered. Happens everywhere. Don't run out of gas, don't blow your lungs with a rapid ascent.

 

[MMM]

I know of one or two. But a DM I know told me that some of these cases, it's a suspected suicide, given the person's health or mental status.

 

[boulderjohn]

I know of one or two. But a DM I know told me that some of these cases, it's a suspected suicide, given the person's health or mental status.

I would be really hesitant about accepting that explanation.

When the Lonergan's were left out at sea in Australia, the dive operator who went to shore without them and left them there for three days before reporting them missing concocted a story in their defense that this honeymooning couple had planned this as a paired suicide. It was total rubbish to begin with, but even if it were true, that does not excuse the operator for leaving them out at sea alone for three days.

In Cozumel, a DM is supposed to keep an eye on the group very carefully because of the currents. I suspect that if a member of the group that is supposedly being watched so carefully disappears, it will be tempting to try to come up with a reason for it that was not the DM's fault, just as the Australian operator did.

There are way easier ways to commit suicide than sneaking away from a DM to drown alone.

 

[fishi]

It would be hard to believe that such an incident would not be detected by DandyDon...

DandyDon believes that they were "pulling my leg". I don't.

 

[MMM]

I would be really hesitant about accepting that explanation. In Cozumel, a DM is supposed to keep an eye on the group very carefully because of the currents. I suspect that if a member of the group that is supposedly being watched so carefully disappears, it will be tempting to try to come up with a reason for it that was not the DM's fault, just as the Australian operator did.

There are way easier ways to commit suicide than sneaking away from a DM to drown alone.

Not saying I accept it but it's a hypothesis. I remain open to lots of possibilities.

And I'm also not saying that this is used as an excuse; it was not presented to me as such. But as possibility. (we were discussing a person who had "disappeared" from a cruise ship and who was thought to have either jumped or been pushed)

If I were to commit suicide, I think scuba would be a consideration. It beats a bullet to the head and all that entails.

 

[ggunn]

You won't find an official report because this kind of news hurts tourism (same as diving deaths and crime on the island). The closest info you'll get is if a friend personally knew of an incident while in Coz on vacation. And the DM's, they know all the good stuff.

In the "old days" before the internet and digital mass media, I guess a coverup could be pulled off, but I'm skeptical that much of that kind of thing could happen today. I'll bet we know about most disappearances.

 

[loudives]

There was an incident Jan 08 with a Japanese woman who's dive buddy was her husband and he lost her. Foul play was suspected but don't know what happened to the guy, if he was ever charged.

DM who upgraded my cert back in 94, later had marriage troubles and weighted down and jumped in without tanks to end it all.

Those 2 I am sure of, many other stories but suspect URBAN LEGENDS for most!

 

[MMM]

Here's the SB link to the thread about the Japanese diver lost at Devil's Throat. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/accidents-incidents/215552-cozumel-diver-lost.html

nothing in there about possible foul play but maybe that came about later.

 

[Amphiprion]

In general, if you get lost, just swim east about a mile. If you are diving maracaibo, swim north. If you are diving barracuda, swim east quickly.