Navy diver fatality snorkeling in Guam

[DandyDon]

From Marysville sailor dies while snorkeling in Guam - ABC27 WHTM

MARYSVILLE, Pa. (WHTM) - A Navy diver from Perry County died over the weekend while snorkeling off the coast of Guam, according to his family.
The cause of 20-year-old Ryan Bennett's death was not immediately known. Military officials continue to investigate, but told his parents there were no visible signs of trauma.
His parents, Marie and Mark Bennett, said their hearts sank when a uniformed officer knocked on their front door.
"It was a parent's worst nightmare," Mark Bennett said.
The Marysville native apparently was enjoying some free time when he died Saturday.
"He just collapsed," Marie Bennett said. "He wasn't able to be revived."
Bennett graduated from Susquenita High School in 2011. He played football, ran track, and wrestled, but his parents said diving was his true passion. He began diving and snorkeling when he was 12 years old, and became certified at age 17.
When it came time to pick a career, Marie Bennett said it was an easy decision.
"He came up with underwater welding and underwater construction. What better way to learn, than go into the service and have the best of the best teach you," she said.
Bennett's passion took him to Florida for training. He was deployed to Guam last month.
Last Thursday was the last time his mother spoke with him.
"I asked him, 'are you homesick yet, buddy? Are you ready to come back?' He said, 'yeah, not so much,'" she said.
Of course not. Being in Guam with the Navy. Learning about underwater welding. For Ryan Bennett, he was fulfilling a life-long dream.
"He did us proud," Mark Bennett said. "He was living his dream. That's what he wanted to do, and make it a little easier for us. He was living his dream."
Bennett's cousin was to meet him in Guam to go diving. His family said the cousin still plans to go Guam to live out both of their dreams.

 

[AfterDark]

What a shame. I wonder if shallow waterblackout could have been an issue?

 

[tomfcrist]

A shame. I feel for this shipmates family. I guess only the final report will tell what really happened. One could only guess.

 

[DandyDon]

A little more info excerpted from this: Diver from Perry County might have been killed by jellyfish, father says | PennLive.com

On Saturday, with the morning free, they donned snorkeling gear and headed for the blue-green waters off Haputo Beach. As Bennett and Fernandez, of Cresco, swam in the shallows, examining shells and fish, Bennett suddenly stopped. Fernandez stopped and waited for his pal.
“Andrew thought he was clearing his mask. They were side by side,” said Bennett’s mother, Maria.
Then Fernandez realized Bennett wasn’t moving and that he was unconscious.
“He dragged [Bennett] up the beach and tried to resuscitate him,” Maria said.
An emergency medical team arrived and took over, but Bennett died. Fernandez noticed Bennett’s face was puffy, his lips swollen as though his body were in allergic shock. Results from an autopsy performed Tuesday weren’t available.