Filmmaker Rob Stewart dies off Alligator Reef

[St John the Diver]

I took my class years ago, so I don't know if it was required then... but no, I didn't have one and neither did Sotis.

All rEvo rebreathers from the very start have been provided with them.

 

[Luke007]

I unfortunately discovered this site only about 2 days ago beside being in the industry a bit (and spending the last years working in places known for terrible internet in which you only do what is absolutely necessary). Have been on a tear through reading everything I can here (thank you posters), loads of great info (and as a soon to be rebreather diver when I pull the trigger and have the money, thanks) I am transitioning to work in Caribbean than previously in Asia and Africa and as a rec/tech instructor.

After reviewing everything about not only Rob but AH I feel there is something very dodgy here... Many people in this forum know a lot and can add some very insightful information. I have read every word about the AH dispute about tanks (chinese) and rebreather training (freezing out other instructors), etc. Please someone in the know break it down. Nobody wants to openly attack the primary person involved but all I want is legit info that affects divers being made public regardless of company affiliations.

I want a politics aside assessment from someone in the area. I have a very high admiration for Rob Stewart who was an amazing human that dedicated his life to make our planet better in bringing to everyone's attention the plight of sharks... Unfortunately he is gone and we should all regret this fact and reminisce about all he has done in the conservation with help from many other organizations.

This is the "Accidents & Incidents" forum, a memorial dedication to Rob is on another link...I want to hear what happened so as not to be confused and go down the same road. If it involves a reputable dive center or instructor it should be open to the dive community, guaranteed if Rob had completed the course with flying colors, we would all know and be seeing photos on AH website, no (good marketing)?

-It seems a lot of dive pros on this forum live/work in the same area...
-What happened in your opinion?
-Dan Dawkins the boat captain, said anything?
-Seems Peter in Curacao to promote his Dive Expediton (300ft! dives)
-Any facts from other diver on board?

Feel free to comment and I obviously have no affiliation other than the truth...

Cheers,
Luke

 

[stevensamler]

I don't understand what happened to either divers because RB diving is way above my diving experience. But what I really don't understand is where were the eyes on the water, even when a diver gives the deck an OK they're not OK until their feet on onboard period........get it.....

 

[KevinNM]

I don't understand what happened to either divers because RB diving is way above my diving experience. But what I really don't understand is where were the eyes on the water, even when a diver gives the deck an OK they're not OK until their feet on onboard period........get it.....

From what I read it went like this: They had one diver with major problems and another who signaled he was OK. So they ran to get the diver with issues back on the boat, and then once the emergency was under control looked for the diver who signaled he was OK.

You may very well need 2, 3 or more people to get a fully equipped tech diver out of the water and up the ladder if he's passive or unconscious. On a typical dive boat this doesn't leave anyone not directly involved in this.

 

[Ron Lee]

From what I read it went like this: They had one diver with major problems and another who signaled he was OK. So they ran to get the diver with issues back on the boat, and then once the emergency was under control looked for the diver who signaled he was OK.

You may very well need 2, 3 or more people to get a fully equipped tech diver out of the water and up the ladder if he's passive or unconscious. On a typical dive boat this doesn't leave anyone not directly involved in this.

One unverified report had three other divers other than Rob (diver #1). It appears factual that Mr Sotis (diver #2) was one of the possible three. His wife, Dr Sotis (diver #3) , may have been on the boat and there may have been another male (diver #4) besides the boat captain.

Whether Mr Sotis passed out may be unverified and if he did was it in the water as an early report mentioned or was it on the boat...or both. I can see where rescuing Mr Sotis in the water and getting him back on the boat may well have been a challenge. I do not know if it would be possible to ditch his gear in water (on the surface) to facilitate saving him.

 

[Steve_C]

Returning to the accident discussion. Assuming that both divers came up using the same gases and they were going to be low on oxygen at the surface, it seems possible to me that the instructor knew that he had only a brief time before an issue would hit him at the surface but that the recent student did not. Could explain Rob signaling ok because he did not know that trouble he was in.

 

[cephalopod2]

One unverified report had three other divers other than Rob (diver #1). It appears factual that Mr Sotis (diver #2) was one of the possible three. His wife, Dr Sotis (diver #3) , may have been on the boat and there may have been another male (diver #4) besides the boat captain.

It would be helpful to know how many people were on the boat when Rob was on the surface.

In the interview with Rob's parents I posted earlier, Rob's father says a fourth person on the boat was a friend of Rob's he brought from California (2:02-2:20 on the video).

There is a little bit more information in the interview with Rob's parents here Rob Stewart, Toronto ‘Sharkwater’ filmmaker and conservationist, missing off Florida coast

 

[St John the Diver]

It would be helpful to know how many people were on the boat when Rob was on the surface.

In the interview with Rob's parents I posted earlier, Rob's father says a fourth person on the boat was a friend of Rob's he brought from California (2:02-2:20 on the video).

The Coast Guard reports are public records.

 

[St John the Diver]

Returning to the accident discussion. Assuming that both divers came up using the same gases and they were going to be low on oxygen at the surface, it seems possible to me that the instructor knew that he had only a brief time before an issue would hit him at the surface but that the recent student did not. Could explain Rob signaling ok because he did not know that trouble he was in.

Steve: even if hypoxic, if you surface concious, once you breathe surface air for a few breaths you're not going to get worse. Recovery is fast.

If the victim stayed on the loop.... well..... The "dead bug" as we call it (dropping the DSV and losing buoyancy and sinking immediately) would be a real possibility.

 

[Cowfish Aesthetic]

If the victim stayed on the loop.... well..... The "dead bug" as we call it (dropping the DSV and losing buoyancy and sinking immediately) would be a real possibility.

Again, not a CCR diver, so forgive me if this is a stupid question: aren't CCR divers generally taught to "stay on the loop"? That is, if someone didn't know they had a problem, wouldn't they be expected to do so?