Casino Point Fatality Sat. March 5th

[Underwaterone]

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

Number One -

There is no such thing as a "Routine" Sheriff's Department dive fatality investigation. All dive fatality investigations are professional, thorough and conducted as if foul play is involved until proven otherwise. This is why the Sheriff's Department takes all dive equipment as evidence and does not allow the Coroner's Office or family members access to it until it is completely tested by Sheriff's Department investigators.

Number Two -

Any reference to "girlfriend of the victim" should be considered inaccurate unless confirmed by Sheriff's Department investigators.

 

[merxlin]

Ken is a pretty trusted source around here for information regarding accidents and incidents that occur locally and involve the chamber. I took his comment to mean that it is routine for them to investigate, not that the investigation itself was routine.

 

[Underwaterone]

Ken is a pretty trusted source around here for information regarding accidents and incidents that occur locally and involve the chamber. I took his comment to mean that it is routine for them to investigate, not that the investigation itself was routine.

As pointed out the trusted source is inaccurate regarding this particular incident. Only the lead investigative agency, which is the Sheriff's Department, has the complete information at this point. Eventually it will be released to other agencies and the public. It is never a good practice by anyone, trusted or otherwise, to post information prior to the official Sheriff's Department investigation being completed. There are too many changing components of an investigation. Early information released without Sheriff's Department investigator confirmation generally leads to inaccuracies and confusion to the public and family of the involved.

 

[canadianwingnut]

This is so very sad.!!! My heart goes out to friends and family


Im new to this board and I hope that I am using this thread correctly..

I Just did a Discover Scuba.. In a pool. Can anyone tell me under what conditions
this happened. This must have been Health related,???

Wingnut

 

[Tortuga68]

Short answer: nobody knows yet

That may or may not change

 

[Underwaterone]

Short answer: nobody knows yet

That may or may not change

You are accurate. Nobody knows at this point. The Sheriff's Department investigation needs to run its course. There is a very good chance that the cause will be found during the course of that investigation.

 

[Tortuga68]

There is a very good chance that the cause will be found during the course of that investigation

If you mean that a cause of death will be recorded eg drowning/asphyxiation, then you're probably right. If you mean the underlying cause (more likely causes) of the incident will be identified, then I'm less confident of a decisive outcome - which is part of the reason why threads like this generate so much curiousity and speculation

 

[tddfleming]

You are accurate. Nobody knows at this point. The Sheriff's Department investigation needs to run its course. There is a very good chance that the cause will be found during the course of that investigation.

Undewaterone:

Were you somehow related to this person, there during the incident? You appear to take this all very personal. I don't think anyone here has meant any disrespect.

 

[Underwaterone]

If you mean that a cause of death will be recorded eg drowning/asphyxiation, then you're probably right. If you mean the underlying cause (more likely causes) of the incident will be identified, then I'm less confident of a decisive outcome - which is part of the reason why threads like this generate so much curiousity and speculation

At a minimum I would expect the cause of death to be determined, pre-existing medical problems of the diver discovered, and whether the dive equipment used was defective or not used properly.

 

[Underwaterone]

Undewaterone:

Were you somehow related to this person, there during the incident? You appear to take this all very personal. I don't think anyone here has meant any disrespect.

No relation, and I agree, no one meant any disrespect. There is also nothing wrong with speculating on what you personally think happened. Everyone has a right to their opinion. I was trying to be sensitive to family and friends by correcting some inaccurate comments. No family member wants to hear that the investigation of their loved one's death is just a routine investigation. And no one wants to be confused about the involvement of a girl friend if this is not confirmed by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. It causes unnecessary grief. Only confirmed accurate facts regarding the death should be posted unless it is just a clearly stated opinion of yours.