Japanese diver dies in Antarctica

[Herb-alaska]

It is of course possible, but even a catastrophic floood wont soak you quite the way going through the ice would have so youd have a LITTLE time to identify the issue and get out of there and from what I understand she was on the surface and then went under?
In ~0c/32f water you are estimated to have about 15 minutes before you risk unconsciousness, the water in the antarctic might be even a bit cooler as its salt water though, so youre probably down to 5-10 minutes so if a big flood was the issue I think there would need to be panic/shock involved for such an experienced diver not to rectify the situation within that timeframe.
If she was at depth and had a flood like that I can see a wealth of issues with rectifying the issue though..

Proper undergarments will prevent a diver from having a extreme reaction to a seal failure I have had leaks in 35 degree salt water and was fine for the entire 70 minute dive most seal failures a leaks rather than full on floods so if the water was cold and she had a seal leak I would think she would have plenty of time end the dive and get back to ship. I am leaning toward medical but we will never really know we hardly ever hear the follow up

 

[Dondon462]

Hi all...Interestng stuff and I can not comment, but I may be in a position to get the final report, if and when it is available, so will make an effort to post it here if I can...it will probably be some time?? I do agree with the time it takes to suffer from cold in a dry suit from a burts seal should NOT have been an issue...water in antarctica is usually -1.5c at most...it freezes at -1.8...more likely about -1.2 in East Antarctica...On the Antarctic peninsular whee she was, it is much warmer..maybe about +4c....I have been in -1c water with thermal liners and just sailing wet weather gear, NOT even a dry suit. The icy water flooded in..but the cold water does not renew itself, your body heat warms the cold water just a little, so after about 15 minutes you re still OK. I regularly throw our passengers into the water for a "Polar Plunge" at -1c wearing nothing..about 40 people each season do it..silly hey!!..you have to get out within about 30-45 seconds or you have trouble moving...most are out in about 10-15seconds!! ..one hero lasted about 75 seconds!!

 

[Tigerman]

Ice bathing is supposed to be good for you - although Im not convinced cause it sure dont feel like it

 

[aceupmysleeve777]

Very sad to hear. Having dove Antarctica myself I can tell you that most companys require you to have 50 drysuit dives just as this person did. I also think that's enough dives to be good and comfortable diving dry. She sounds like a very experienced diver with 1500 dives and the exact person that should be allowed to dive Antarctica. Antarctica is one of only two times that I have had to have my complete dive logs with me and the DM took 15-20 mins. looking through them with me and asking questions, he then did the same to the other 4 divers aboard the ship. I'm sure the same was done with this person.

 

[BluewaterSail]

My question is where was her buddy?

 

[USFpsychDiver]

I regularly throw our passengers into the water for a "Polar Plunge" at -1c wearing nothing

Remind me not to book with you.

 

[Oldbear]

...I regularly throw our passengers into the water for a "Polar Plunge" at -1c wearing nothing..about 40 people each season do it..silly hey!!..you have to get out within about 30-45 seconds or you have trouble moving...most are out in about 10-15seconds!! ..one hero lasted about 75 seconds!!

+1 NOT to book with you. Silly my ass...stupid yes.

 

[conniedives2]

I had the great pleasure of diving last year in Antarctica with the Plancius and their stellar crew. I want to state first hand that the crew does everything in their power to insure safe diving. It was safety first. The divemasters were top notch. I am an experienced cold water and dry suit diver and instructor, but I am also 59 years old so this came with some risk for me but what in life doesn't have risk?

It is so regrettable that the death occurred. I can only speculate what happened, but I am confident in saying that the Plancius crew did everything possible to insure safety for all the divers.