Catalina Diver died today w/ Instructor

[SCUBA482]

Anybody have any more info on the person who died in Catalina today? I had heard a 56 year old female bolted from her instructor while in Catalina during a certification dive. Also heard she was taken to the chamber and later died, possibly of cardiac arrest.

[ItsBruce]

I heard from someone who may have the report being made to the authorities that the instructor had slowed the victim's ascent, but that at 25 feet or so, the victim fought the instructor off and bolted.

I understand that the Avalon Harbor Patrol was on scene in next to no time and did a heroic effort in the rescue.

My condolences to the family and to all involved.

[MaxBottomtime]

From the L.A. Times;
November 1, 2009 | 1:40 pm

A 55-year-old woman seeking her deep-sea certification died after scuba
diving off Catalina Island today, according to the Avalon sheriff's station.

Sheriff's dispatcher Connie Shepard said the woman was transported from the
Avalon dive park, along with her diving instructor, to a hyperbaric chamber.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department sent a helicopter to the scene, but
the woman was transported by boat to the Two Harbors facility, which is run
by USC, according to Fire Department Inspector Frederic Stowers.

The woman, who was not identified, was reportedly seeking her deep-sea
certification when she suddenly rose to the top from more than 65 feet below
the surface at the park, which is near the Avalon Casino.

-- Margot Roosevelt

[merxlin]

I heard from someone who may have the report being made to the authorities that the instructor had slowed the victim's ascent, but that at 25 feet or so, the victim fought the instructor off and bolted.

I understand that the Avalon Harbor Patrol was on scene in next to no time and did a heroic effort in the rescue.

My condolences to the family and to all involved.

I was on the island and staying in the same hotel as this group. What Bruce wrote is what I heard from members of the class she was diving with, although no mention of fighting the instructor. There is a newspaper report of an equipment problem but I do not believe that to be true.

Conditons were perfect: sunny, no wind, no current and 50ft viz. Water is still in the mid 60's. It sounds like nothing more than a classic panic situation.

[DiveMom1]

Wow, sounds like my hubby's attemped deep dive for AOW.. thank goodness there were 3 instructors on him faster than the bubbles. He bolted from over 100' Had it not been for those instructors he would probably not be here today.

I feel for the family..

[DandyDon]

Condolences thread started in Passings here

[Cave Diver]

Condolences thread started in Passings here

Moderator's Comments:

Condolences only have been moved to the Passings thread

[SCUBA482]

Does anybody have an idea what dive op she was getting her certification through? Not that it's extremely important, but wondering if they are on SB and have any light they could shed on this. Also, I heard cardiac arrest was part of the problem, now maybe equipment failure? I wonder if an equipment problem led to a panic situation then cardiac arrest.

[Teamcasa]

This appears to by more a panic issue first and an ascending issue second. Either way, I'm waiting for more information.

[merxlin]

This appears to by more a panic issue first and an ascending issue second. Either way, I'm waiting for more information.

Based on the symptoms (frothing, etc.), it was probably a barotrauma caused by rapid ascent due to panic. From my conversation with them, the rapid ascent occurred in the final 15 to 20 ft.