That Scuba Guy
New
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
- # of dives
On 23-Dec 2015 A female diver suffered an apparent heart attack while diving in the Man o' war Shoal marine park off St Maarten.
Eyewitnesses report that on the second dive of the morning she surfaced 30-40 meters from the boat and expired just before reaching the boat's tag line. The Skipper on board went into the water but was unable to reach her. He subsequently cut loose from the mooring and attempted to retrieve her as the boat drifted. Sea conditions were heavy and the captain was unable to pull the diver on board as she was a fairly large person.
The Captain was forced to abandon his efforts and to return to the dive site to retrieve the rest of the group who were still in the water. Subsequently the local sea rescue service was called in and the victims body was recovered and brought to shore where doctors at the scene pronounced her dead.
Cause of death appears to be a heart attack as there was no water found in her lungs, however the autopsy report has yet to be submitted.
Skill level and experience of the deceased are unknown by the author. Although it must be noted that the sea conditions on the day were exceptionally rough, on an island well known for it's generally rough conditions. With seas exceeding 6 feet at times over the reef, most other dive operators had elected to either cancel the days diving or to head to alternate, more sheltered, dive sites in the lee of the island.
Eyewitnesses report that on the second dive of the morning she surfaced 30-40 meters from the boat and expired just before reaching the boat's tag line. The Skipper on board went into the water but was unable to reach her. He subsequently cut loose from the mooring and attempted to retrieve her as the boat drifted. Sea conditions were heavy and the captain was unable to pull the diver on board as she was a fairly large person.
The Captain was forced to abandon his efforts and to return to the dive site to retrieve the rest of the group who were still in the water. Subsequently the local sea rescue service was called in and the victims body was recovered and brought to shore where doctors at the scene pronounced her dead.
Cause of death appears to be a heart attack as there was no water found in her lungs, however the autopsy report has yet to be submitted.
Skill level and experience of the deceased are unknown by the author. Although it must be noted that the sea conditions on the day were exceptionally rough, on an island well known for it's generally rough conditions. With seas exceeding 6 feet at times over the reef, most other dive operators had elected to either cancel the days diving or to head to alternate, more sheltered, dive sites in the lee of the island.