Another abalone diver fatality - California

[DandyDon]

Abalone diver dies off Sonoma County coast - SFGate

A man diving for abalone off the Sonoma County coast died Wednesday, officials said, though the exact cause of death was unclear.
The victim’s diving partner called authorities just after 3 p.m. from Galleons Reach, a road off Highway 1 about two miles south of Sea Ranch, said Capt. Shelley Spear of the Sea Ranch Fire Department. The caller told authorities that the victim began struggling while diving and stopped breathing before he was able to get him to the beach.
The victim, whose identity was not released, died at the scene before he could be taken to a hospital, Spear said.
While abalone diving is usually safe, Spear said that accidental deaths happen a few times a year off the Sonoma County coast, usually near the season’s end, which is Dec. 1.

 

[Bob DBF]

Update from our local press.

THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
November 20, 2014, 9:35AM

Diver who died at The Sea Ranch identified

A diver who died on a northern Sonoma County beach Wednesday afternoon was a Grass Valley man named John Curtis, the county coroner’s office said.

Curtis, 54, was diving with a friend off The Sea Ranch when he ran into trouble, though it remained unclear whether he drowned or suffered a medical emergency, authorities said.

Emergency help was summoned by a passer-by who heard the friend calling for help from Galleons Reach beach, the county Sheriff’s Office said. Curtis was pronounced dead at the scene.

Further details of the incident were not available, but an autopsy was planned to determine his cause of death, authorities said.

You can reach Staff Writer Mary Callahan at 521-5249 or mary.callahan@pressdemocrat.com.

Bob

 

[AfterDark]

"Curtis, 54, was diving."........I wonder how long the unfortunate Mr. Curtis has been diving?

 

[Bazzer69]

Using scuba gear for abalone is illegal in California,maybe he was free diving


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Bob DBF]

He was free diving for Abalone, I believe it has been a couple of years, or more, since a SCUBA diver has been lost out here. Since the diver was from out of the area, I would bet on heart attack as Ab diving can be strenuous and stressful especially if you not used to it.

People from out of the area have a time pressure to get in the water that a local does not have. If I see bad water, I can go home after wasting a couple of hours and easily try later, a traveler may only have this vacation (weekend) to dive for Ab's so they take a chance. I dive all year on this coast, a lot of Ab divers come out a few times during the season and it is their only diving. With all of that, it surprises me that more Ab divers are not lost for which I'm grateful.

AfterDark, come on out and you can join the fun. Only problem is you cannot dive for Abalone after dark.



Bob
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I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.

 

[Laurie S.]

We went abalone diving today at Van Damme near Fort Bragg. Got our limit and I am pooped. Didn't help that I was diving with a knee injury, which affected my kicking ability. But, excellent conditions today!