Lobster hunting free diver dead - Laguna Beach cove, California

[DandyDon]

Man free diving for lobster at Laguna Beach cove dies after suffering cardiac arrest

A 40-year-old man diving for lobster in Laguna Beach died Saturday after suffering cardiac arrest, authorities said.

Laguna Beach lifeguards responded at 7:15 a.m. to Totuava Beach, where a diver had floated to the surface and was being helped to shore by other scuba and free divers who were in the water, according to marine safety Capt. Kai Bond.

Totuava Beach is a cove between Thousand Steps Beach and Table Rock Beach that has no direct public access but can be reached by foot during low tides from the beaches to the north and south.

Lifeguards attempted lifesaving measures on the diver, who was identified by the Orange County coroner’s office as Ryan Huff of Lakewood. Huff was unresponsive, without a pulse and not breathing when paramedics arrived on the scene, Bond said.


Huff was free diving — without an oxygen tank and relying only on breath holding — at the secluded cove with two dive partners, according to Fire Department Division Chief Edward Valdez. The others noticed Huff was unresponsive underwater before he floated to the surface, Valdez said.

Paramedics found Huff in cardiac arrest and took him to Laguna Beach’s Mission Hospital two blocks from the beach, Valdez said.

Huff was pronounced dead just after 8 a.m. The cause of death is under investigation, according to the coroner’s office.

 

[RTC'83]

RIP

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

I can see that beach from my house. Never been diving off the beach there but have dove off my boat in that cove for lobster many times. It is located just south of the southern end of the MLPA (Marine Life Protection Act) boundary and is usually pretty productive for bugs early in the season. Saturday was opening day for lobster here but I didn't make a beach dive because the surf was too big in that area. Sorry to hear of such a tragic loss. Mark

 

[drrich2]

I wonder what the basis is for this:

Man free diving for lobster at Laguna Beach cove dies after suffering cardiac arrest

When you die, your heart will stop, whether cardiac arrest is what killed you or not. Ditto for respiratory arrest. I wonder if perhaps they simply had no better explanation and so assumed this was the cause, or whether a more in-depth investigation will follow and official cause of death hasn't actually been set?

Not that definitive answers are always forthcoming in these tragedies.

Richard.

 

[Bob DBF]

I wonder what the basis is for this:

Man free diving for lobster at Laguna Beach cove dies after suffering cardiac arrest

When you die, your heart will stop, whether cardiac arrest is what killed you or not.

A good reporter, will make up a good headline, regardless of the facts. If it's too hard to find the facts, just make them up, notice that

Huff was freediving - without an oxygen tank and relying only on breath holding -...

now I haven't figured out if his mistake was not taking an oxygen tank, or it was a description of freediving.


You take media reports much too seriously.


Bob

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

I'm sure we'll eventually find out what happened. If we are going to speculate then Shallow Water Blackout is usually on the top of the list barring cardiac event, stroke or just plain panic after ingesting some sea water by accident. We get a lot of once a year divers/freedivers for the opening of bug season. I have no idea what this poor guy's experience level was. The State recently moved the opening from Midnight to 6:00 a.m. because too many folks were jumping in at zero dark thirty without any night diving experience, ocean conditions be damned, and ending up at the pearly gates. If I hear any more from the local lifeguards I'll post.

 

[stretchthepenn]

A good reporter, will make up a good headline, regardless of the facts.

Just FYI, most news outlets don't have reporters write headlines. Reporters may suggest headlines, but editors are the ones who write headlines.

Here's a link to a NY Times article that explains their procedure: How to Write a New York Times Headline

 

[Jim Tolly]

I'm sure we'll eventually find out what happened. If we are going to speculate then Shallow Water Blackout is usually on the top of the list barring cardiac event, stroke or just plain panic after ingesting some sea water by accident. We get a lot of once a year divers/freedivers for the opening of bug season. I have no idea what this poor guy's experience level was. The State recently moved the opening from Midnight to 6:00 a.m. because too many folks were jumping in at zero dark thirty without any night diving experience, ocean conditions be damned, and ending up at the pearly gates. If I hear any more from the local lifeguards I'll post.

Hello,

I saw your comments on Ryan Huff's diving accident in Laguna Beach recently. He was a close friend of mine. In regards to experienced level he was a highly experienced diver for sure and in great shape. I know he often competed as well. Everyone is so confused on what happened and why. I am not sure who he was with but it sounds like there were two others. I know he always carried full gear including wrist knives etc. and usually wore a body cam. I've been searching for answers, even though I know they won't bring him back

 

[drrich2]

Thanks, Jim. Welcome to Scuba Board. If you're following the thread, and perhaps other Accident and Incident threads, please bear in mind we often speculate about what may have happened in an effort to learn cause & prevention for situations we may encounter in diving, even if they aren't what contributed to (or maybe in some cases had anything to do with) a fatality.

Your description of his diving background and capabilities informs the discussion, and it's appreciated.

Richard.

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

Hello,

I saw your comments on Ryan Huff's diving accident in Laguna Beach recently. He was a close friend of mine. In regards to experienced level he was a highly experienced diver for sure and in great shape. I know he often competed as well. Everyone is so confused on what happened and why. I am not sure who he was with but it sounds like there were two others. I know he always carried full gear including wrist knives etc. and usually wore a body cam. I've been searching for answers, even though I know they won't bring him back

Hi Jim, so sorry for your loss. I'd be interested in hearing the information that develops from the investigation. Unfortunately, we have lost a number of highly experienced divers over the years off our beaches. We try to learn from these tragic events to make diving safer for everyone. Thanks for posting. Mark