Accident at casino point 9/23/12

[CaptainKidd]

I'm done discussing this... Sorry.

 

[promocop]

Whoa! Kind of harsh there CaptKidd, I think all of us just want to understand and learn about what happened so as to not repeat this tragedy !

 

[eelnoraa]

Discuss, opinion, feedback, learn, I think this is why we have forums. As long as the critique is constructive. Especially in this section, I think we can all benefit from knowing what happen and how to not let it happen to ourselves.

 

[CaptainKidd]

I'm done discussing this... Sorry.

 

[sptychic]

Agreed. As I said, I'm all for learning to avoid further tragedies. What I'm trying to avoid is the BS comments speculating as to what happened. We know exactly what happend on the dive in regards to dive times, descents, ascents, diver communication, responses, etc... What we don't know is what caused the emergency in the first place, and it's frustrating to see the posts that suggest info that's way off. Or quotes from sources that are completely wrong. Why doesn't everyone just wait for the facts to become available, then have a discussion on how to better help people in the future. Also, I can assure you that this wasn't a matter of under-educating. Not every dive accident is the result of PADI, SSI, or NAUI, etc... training standards, or lack there of. Sometimes medical emergencies arise, even with well educated and competent divers. That's all.

I have to say I believe the person you have been discussing was a good friend of many. I know if I have been reading this post others in his hometown are..... with that being said I understand the finger pointing etc that comes with this sort of thing. I also must say I have found a little bit of peace when reading it. No one has stated officially what happened and I wish they would. I've always wanted to dive but now may never because of this incident. The person I am refering to was an esteemed, thoughtful, caring individual with a zest for life who will be missed. I thank you all for the tiny bit of insight you have provided.

 

[promocop]

Well stated, thank you

 

[DivemasterDennis]

Reflecting on this tragedy, the value is not in railing against others, but in dive professionals evaluating their training methods, divers evaluating their competence level, and everyone being reminded that our wonderful sport does have inherent risk factors and dangers. I offer my sincerest sympathies to the family and friends of the diver who has passed. I share stories like this with my AOW students to enhance their awareness of the need to focus on safety, to dive within their limits, and to constantly rehearse mentally and sometimes in action, coping with emergencies. I have more thoughts, but not for now. The loss of every diver saddens me.
DivemasterDennis

 

[pbailey74]

i dont know if the man you are speaking of is the same person but a pediatrician here in town where i live died at catalina this weekend scuba diving, he was there for his birthday, dont know a lot of details just heard equipment failure. Still waiting to hear more, i work for a pediatrician also

 

[drbill]

I checked with a very reliable source here on the island yesterday. Based on that conversation my understanding is that the incident was a fatality. If this is accurate (and I suspect it is knowing the source), my condolences to the family and friends.

Unfortunately it is the first fatality this year in the Casino Pt. Dive Park. We were hoping for a perfect year.

 

[marsmith]

I was diving at casino point in Catalina this weekend, about to do my last dive Sunday when someone needed help. Coast guard came and rescued an unconscious man in the water. Does anyone know if he is ok and what happened? He has been in my prayers.

I was at Casino Point on 09/23/12 completing my open water certification, from what I know, we surfaced at 0931 from 60 feet, completing our 4th certification dive, as we surfaced there was a diver yelling for help waving his arms. our instructors made sure all of our group had surfaced instructed our dive master to get us to the steps and both instructors swam to assist, both of our dive instructors are also rescue dive instructors. Later that day at the hotel we were briefed on the incident. The diver was an advanced open water student, they went to a depth of close to 100 feet, the diver signaled ok and pressure reading, shortly afterwards he signaled the dive master for their group he was going to surface, from what our instructors gathered the diver surfaced from 100 feet without releasing air from his BC. the dive master from that group stated that at about 30-45 feet the diver became unresponsive, at the surface he had no pulse. The sheriff responded along with the harbor patrol, they loaded him into the harbor patrol boat and began CPR, he was transfered to the lifeguard/Paramedic boat where CPR was continued and the boat left the dock for the Catalina decompression unit. What I saw was that CPR was in progress for at least 20 minutes. I am not sure of the outcome of the incident. both the injured diver and the dive master were taken by boat to the decompression unit, air support was not requested.