MHK
Guest
As many of you know there was another fatality over the weekend at Farnsworth bank. I've had a few people send me some e-mails that either were on the boat, or have discussed the matter with someone that was on the boat. I, myself, was not on the boat so this is at best a second hand accounting, so in other words don't take this as gospel, but I'm pretty comfortable with the reports and the consistency between them..
The female victim [name being withheld by me] was a 26 year old, recent law school graduate. She had over 100 logged dives and arrived on the Horizon without a buddy. The trip was organized by an individual, not a shop or club, but the victim did buddy up with another diver. As I understand it the buddy has been diving on and off for 15 years and considers himself moderately active [ I have had no discussions with him]. The victim was diving new equipment [ ie; a new BC, that she asked the crew for assitance with setting up], however no reports have indicated that the BC was the cause of the accident.. Upon descent, the victim at approx. 80' appeared to have paniced and began ascending rather rapidly. The reports are that they ascended to "nearly" the surface, when the two became separated. The buddy surfaced and signalled for help. The DM apparently very quickly began a search and found the body at 146' [ not at 40' as was previsouly reported], he brought her to the surface and began resucitation efforts, while emergency personel were called and the Chamber was notified.
Obviously all efforts were to no avail, however from all accounts the crew and DM did the best they could do under the circumstances, and as someone who has been in that position my hats off to the crew, and my condolences to the family..
I'm trying to confirm a few more details and then I will provide an accident analysis for consideration, but as the summer dive season begins it's important to those that haven't been diving in a while to spend some time doing tune up dives at shallow depths just to revisit skills and get back in the swing of things..
That's all I know for now..
Later
The female victim [name being withheld by me] was a 26 year old, recent law school graduate. She had over 100 logged dives and arrived on the Horizon without a buddy. The trip was organized by an individual, not a shop or club, but the victim did buddy up with another diver. As I understand it the buddy has been diving on and off for 15 years and considers himself moderately active [ I have had no discussions with him]. The victim was diving new equipment [ ie; a new BC, that she asked the crew for assitance with setting up], however no reports have indicated that the BC was the cause of the accident.. Upon descent, the victim at approx. 80' appeared to have paniced and began ascending rather rapidly. The reports are that they ascended to "nearly" the surface, when the two became separated. The buddy surfaced and signalled for help. The DM apparently very quickly began a search and found the body at 146' [ not at 40' as was previsouly reported], he brought her to the surface and began resucitation efforts, while emergency personel were called and the Chamber was notified.
Obviously all efforts were to no avail, however from all accounts the crew and DM did the best they could do under the circumstances, and as someone who has been in that position my hats off to the crew, and my condolences to the family..
I'm trying to confirm a few more details and then I will provide an accident analysis for consideration, but as the summer dive season begins it's important to those that haven't been diving in a while to spend some time doing tune up dives at shallow depths just to revisit skills and get back in the swing of things..
That's all I know for now..
Later
