If it was an OOA situation, where was the buddy?
Farnsworth Banks accident last weekend?
- Thread starter dytis-sm
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Randar
Registered
I was on the boat (Vision) and in the water. There was a fatality. Here are the basic details:
Diver (Fatality) had over 100 logged dives
The bank (Farnsworth) was about as pristine as I have ever seen it. No current. Hardly any surge and about 50-100+ feet of vis. Made a dive to 130 +/- and then back to the boat. Accident happened after I got back.
Both Diver and his buddy made it to safety stop, but did not come up the anchor line. Buddy had an OOA situation and came to the surface. Said other diver was "Venting" his BC and descending. The crew of the Vision reacted in a trained and expeditious manner, but were unable to locate the second diver. He was later found OOA and at the bottom.
Was a sad incident all around, but I cannot find any fault in the reactions/actions of the crew or the dive buddy. They did what they could.
Diver (Fatality) had over 100 logged dives
The bank (Farnsworth) was about as pristine as I have ever seen it. No current. Hardly any surge and about 50-100+ feet of vis. Made a dive to 130 +/- and then back to the boat. Accident happened after I got back.
Both Diver and his buddy made it to safety stop, but did not come up the anchor line. Buddy had an OOA situation and came to the surface. Said other diver was "Venting" his BC and descending. The crew of the Vision reacted in a trained and expeditious manner, but were unable to locate the second diver. He was later found OOA and at the bottom.
Was a sad incident all around, but I cannot find any fault in the reactions/actions of the crew or the dive buddy. They did what they could.
Very sad to hear. Thanks for the details. I've dived the Truth Aquatics boats, especially the Vision, and they are a great operation.
billt4sf
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Why would someone at a safety stop vent his BC and descend? The only thing I can think of is that he/she used the wrong button, got panicked, and lost control of the situation? Or perhaps the vent button stuck, and panic ensued? I wonder whether if he had dropped weights he could have survived, maybe.
PURELY SPECULATION on my part.
- Bill
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Randar
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PM Me
Yes there were four SoCal dive incidents centered around the weekend of March 22+23.
Bill
Bill
diverrex
Contributor
What were the two besides Farnsworth and Clemente?
Why would someone have air in their BCD at the safety stop?
Randar
Registered
All good questions.
He WAS NOT using his Alternate Air source to "Breathe" off of at the safety stop.
And to Chilly's point - It is not uncommon to have to "Vent" from your BCD on your way up. "If" you are using the BC for Buoyancy Control. Which he would have been, since he was diving in a 7MM Farmer John wetsuit
However, me personally - I never have any air in my BCD. But then again, I am diving dry.
~R~
He WAS NOT using his Alternate Air source to "Breathe" off of at the safety stop.
And to Chilly's point - It is not uncommon to have to "Vent" from your BCD on your way up. "If" you are using the BC for Buoyancy Control. Which he would have been, since he was diving in a 7MM Farmer John wetsuit
However, me personally - I never have any air in my BCD. But then again, I am diving dry.
~R~
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