Casino Point Fatality Sat. March 5th

[Catdivin]

I was wondering if anyone had any details on the fatality that occurred at Casino Point on Catalina Island on March 5th 2011?

 

[Teamcasa]

I just heard about it from a friend. The victims family really would like to know more about what happened.

 

[drbill]

As I replied on Facebook, this is truly a very sad situation. My condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

I have not posted on it myself since I was not present at the park when it happened. I left about 30-45 minutes before the incident and therefore have no direct knowledge of it. At this point it is hard to determine the facts, and I refuse to speculate on them since I'm too close to the people who might be involved.

I hope the Sheriff's Dept. will release some of the factual details to inform the family, but think this is going to take some time until all the details are known.

 

[DandyDon]

Authorities investigate death of scuba diver off Catalina | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

Authorities Thursday were investigating the death of a man who drowned while taking a scuba-diving class at the Casino Dive Park off Catalina Island.

Michel Mendo Meva’a was in a “discovery scuba-type course” March 5 when he became unconscious, authorities said.

“During the dive, something occurred and he went toward the surface," said Det. David Carver of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. “He sank back down and was assisted back to the surface by the instructor and a civilian.”

Meva’a was taken to shore, treated by paramedics and taken by lifeguard boat to the University of California Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber, an emergency medical facility for the treatment of scuba accidents, Carver said.

Meva’a was pronounced dead at the center, Carver said.

No other details were available, and the investigation was continuing, Carver said.

 

[drbill]

I found the mention of the deceased being assisted back to the surface by a "civilian" to be "interesting."

 

[fisheater]

I found the mention of the deceased being assisted back to the surface by a "civilian" to be "interesting."

What I find more interesting is that I read that article and understood exactly what the writer meant and made no note of the unique use of "civilian."

 

[Ken Kurtis]

Authorities investigate death of scuba diver off Catalina

FYI, every scuba fatality (and certainly in L.A. County) gets "investigated". This is nothing more than routine. Investigations are done, and reports filed, by (1) the L.A. County Coroner, (2) the L.A. County Sheriff's (who are quoted in the article), (3) sometimes the U.S. Coast Guard, (4) the certifying agency, and (5) the insurance company.

"Investigate" does not mean there's suspicion of foul play or criminal activity as the headline sort of implies.

Also, don't read too much into the reference to the civilian. (This was the girlfriend of the victim, also uncertified, who was on the Discover Scuba dive with him.) I know Dave Carver and this is just the way he talks. It's ESD-speak to indiciate the other person assisting in the rescue was not an instructor or lifeguard or any other sort of dive/rescue professional.

When those of us involved in these types of investigations talk amongst ourselves, we frequently use the term "civilian" to indicate it was someone who wasn't a professional-level responder.

- Ken
------------------------------------
Ken Kurtis
Owner, Reef Seekers Dive Co.
L.A. County Coroner Forensic Consultant for scuba fatalities

 

[DandyDon]

Authorities investigate death of scuba diver off Catalina | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

FYI, every scuba fatality (and certainly in L.A. County) gets "investigated". This is nothing more than routine. Investigations are done, and reports filed, by (1) the L.A. County Coroner, (2) the L.A. County Sheriff's (who are quoted in the article), (3) sometimes the U.S. Coast Guard, (4) the certifying agency, and (5) the insurance company.

"Investigate" does not mean there's suspicion of foul play or criminal activity as the headline sort of implies.

Also, don't read too much into the reference to the civilian. (This was the girlfriend of the victim, also uncertified, who was on the Discover Scuba dive with him.) I know Dave Carver and this is just the way he talks. It's ESD-speak to indiciate the other person assisting in the rescue was not an instructor or lifeguard or any other sort of dive/rescue professional.

When those of us involved in these types of investigations talk amongst ourselves, we frequently use the term "civilian" to indicate it was someone who wasn't a professional-level responder.

- Ken
------------------------------------
Ken Kurtis
Owner, Reef Seekers Dive Co.
L.A. County Coroner Forensic Consultant for scuba fatalities

Please notice that I only quoted the online news and gave the source, and the news is infamous for not relaying accurate and complete stories. We hope that those who know more will share what can be beneficial to others here.

 

[tddfleming]

Authorities investigate death of scuba diver off Catalina
Comments (5) (22)(32)March 17, 2011 | 3:02 pm

Authorities Thursday were investigating the death of a man who drowned while taking a scuba-diving class at the Casino Dive Park off Catalina Island.

Michel Mendo Meva’a was in a “discovery scuba-type course” March 5 when he became unconscious, authorities said.

“During the dive, something occurred and he went toward the surface," said Det. David Carver of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. “He sank back down and was assisted back to the surface by the instructor and a civilian.”

Meva’a was taken to shore, treated by paramedics and taken by lifeguard boat to the University of California Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber, an emergency medical facility for the treatment of scuba accidents, Carver said.

Meva’a was pronounced dead at the center, Carver said.

No other details were available, and the investigation was continuing, Carver said.

-- Ann M. Simmons

Email: newstips@latimes.com
Twitter: @latimescitydesk @lanow
Facebook: latimescitydeskMore in: Beach/Coast/Ocean, Beaches

 

[gypsyjim]

How sad. Hard to believe it happened in a Discover class, as usually you are almost one to one with an instructor, in the classes that I have watched, two to one at the worst.