Sad news in today's New York Times

[OceanEyes]

Sad news reported in today's New York Times. RIP.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/18/s...ies-after-trying-for-a-record.html?ref=sports

 

[Oldbear]

So sad...I admire what free divers do, but would not like to try it myself.

 

[tracydr]

Very sad. Another pulmonary edema. Seems like he was a very special person,too.

 

[letterboy]

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=470256

 

[Steve_C]

Sorry that he died. I would expect as they go deeper and deeper we will see more and more of these. Seems sort of like Russian roulette to me. If I make it with only a blackout and blood dripping, I will try it again the next day but deeper.

But to each their own.

 

[TONY CHANEY]

I kinda agree with you Steve in that he should have been sidelined for a better evaluation. But then again this is Monday QBing. I really don't see any more deaths than in the past. 1 death in 21 years of the compition...I'll take those odds any day.

 

[drbill]

Although it is sad to read of such incidents, I think one has to be realistic about the dangers in that "sport." As for me, I'll continue to SCUBA dive (usually at reasonable depths to get long bottom times for filming).

 

[Carlos Danger]

Obviously this is pretty risky stuff. While I respect everyone's right to challenge themselves and push their own personal limits, I can't help but feel that these types of activities are perhaps just too dangerous, unnecessary, and maybe even foolish.

My condolences to his family and loved ones - very sad!

 

[iamrushman]

sorry to hear such tragic news.

 

[Steve_C]

I kinda agree with you Steve in that he should have been sidelined for a better evaluation. But then again this is Monday QBing. I really don't see any more deaths than in the past. 1 death in 21 years of the compition...I'll take those odds any day.

That's one death during major competition. When you include practices, training, doing it for fun, the number of free diving deaths is much higher. Estimates vary but are around 30 dead a year if you include spearfishing and related activities.