29 Dec 10 Fiji Diving Incident (Amy O'Maley Fatality), Part I

[BertP]

This is a tragic story and my heart goes out to all those involved.

It hits home for me a bit, too, since I will be at the Beqa Lagoon Resort (that is where this happened, correct?) in 2 weeks. I will not be bringing a dive buddy with me so I have to rely on what resources I find there. I am not in the best of shape physically so I will have to be very careful that I don't go diving in strong currents. To be honest, I hadn't even thought about such an eventuality so I am a bit more prepared now than I was 15 minutes ago before I read this story.

Bert

 

[sleepr]

If you are at Beqa Lagoon resort your dive team will be provided by the resort. Beqa Adventure divers is another operator out of Pacific Harbour I believe. The dives in the Lagoon will likely involve current/surge for the most part but we had a few novice divers with us and the team took great care of everyone. This particular site where the incident happened was done on my day of diving it as a drift dive. Was a great dive and no issues done like this.
By the way you'll love it and the food is amazing. Say hi to Tu Emo for everyone!

 

[MarineResearch]

This is a tragic story and my heart goes out to all those involved.

It hits home for me a bit, too, since I will be at the Beqa Lagoon Resort (that is where this happened, correct?) in 2 weeks. I will not be bringing a dive buddy with me so I have to rely on what resources I find there. I am not in the best of shape physically so I will have to be very careful that I don't go diving in strong currents. To be honest, I hadn't even thought about such an eventuality so I am a bit more prepared now than I was 15 minutes ago before I read this story.

Bert

I just returned from diving the same area. The currents can be strong, but are manageable. Pay attention to the tides so you can gauge whether or not the current will increase or decrease during your dive. Most dive sites have plenty of opportunities to dive behind structures that block the current. Dive smart and your physical limitations will not be a significant factor.

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

This is a tragic story and my heart goes out to all those involved.

It hits home for me a bit, too, since I will be at the Beqa Lagoon Resort (that is where this happened, correct?) in 2 weeks. I will not be bringing a dive buddy with me so I have to rely on what resources I find there. I am not in the best of shape physically so I will have to be very careful that I don't go diving in strong currents. To be honest, I hadn't even thought about such an eventuality so I am a bit more prepared now than I was 15 minutes ago before I read this story.

Bert

Bert, you have heard the comments about the currents, my advise would be to get a surface marker buoy like an inflatable tube if you don't already have one.
This way if you do get dragged away you can just inflate your BC and tube and let them come and get you rather then killing yourself trying to get back to the boat.
ZDD

 

[DandyDon]

Bert, you have heard the comments about the currents, my advise would be to get a surface marker buoy like an inflatable tube if you don't already have one.
This way if you do get dragged away you can just inflate your BC and tube and let them come and get you rather then killing yourself trying to get back to the boat.
ZDD

Well, yeah - I can't imagine anyone going to sea without one. But that had nothing to do with this loss from failure of basic diving protocols.

 

[BertP]

@ZZD & DandyDon - I am loathe to admit that I don't have an SMB yet but I do intend to get one before I go to Fiji (which is better, the orange one or the yellow one?) and I do intend to use it should I get separated from the boat. Accidents like this should not happen and since I am getting closer to convincing my 14 year old son to start his OW cert before we leave, I want to make sure that I am fully aware of what dangers lurk in the waters there and do whatever I can to mitigate those dangers. Scuba diving is inherentlly dangerous but I believe that the dangers are manageable if we take a bit of time to plan our dive and emergency procedures properly.

Bert

 

[DandyDon]

Wow! I know, some divers don't have safety sausages or anything. :silly: A couple I know got swept away from their boat and floated quite a while before being found. I asked if they had sausages? "They were in our dive bags on the boat."

Color is a matter of opinion, but I have carried my sausage on every ocean dive and also like to carry a Storm whistle, mirror, dive light regardless of time, Dive Alert horn, and your camera strobe can be used as well.

None of that had anything to do with this loss tho.

 

[kmchan1]

DivingTheSeamount,
What you did, your relentless effort to fight for the truth to be heard, justice, and for safe diving in Fiji, I salute and respect you. I googled and read the online news on this accident and I can imagine the disappointment and even rage, how it was reported/ not reported

Scuba diving is fun and dangerous. The day that someone/ scuba agencies live and operate as if nothing serious can happen, that's when we, as the consumers have the right to demand or walk away.

Thank you for sharing and seeking truth for Amy. My condolence to the family.

 

[Zodiacdiverdave]

@ZZD & DandyDon - I am loathe to admit that I don't have an SMB yet but I do intend to get one before I go to Fiji (which is better, the orange one or the yellow one?) and I do intend to use it should I get separated from the boat. Accidents like this should not happen and since I am getting closer to convincing my 14 year old son to start his OW cert before we leave, I want to make sure that I am fully aware of what dangers lurk in the waters there and do whatever I can to mitigate those dangers. Scuba diving is inherentlly dangerous but I believe that the dangers are manageable if we take a bit of time to plan our dive and emergency procedures properly.

Bert

Bert, I lean toward the yellow color (with reflective strips) because it stands out better against a dark sea. One other thing to look for is a lanyard or wrist strap. I had to deploy mine one time, the winds were around 20 knots the tide was running hard. The wind took my SMB from my hand in an instant and there was no way I could catch up with it. The crew in the boat noticed the float on the water and then spotted me. I had to ditch my wieght belt to try and get higher out of the water but it was a good learning experience.
ZDD

 

[Doubler]

Get a Radio/GPS unit along with the SMB. Very useful if the worse happens. Remember you can only see a SMB so far on the surface and rough seas make it worse. I always dive with both plus some other self rescue equipment.