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Catalina Diver died today w/ Instructor

Discussion in 'Accidents and Incidents' started by SCUBA482, Nov 1, 2009.

Page 1 of 33
  1. SCUBA482

    SCUBA482 Public Safety Diver

    # of Dives: 200 - 499
    Location: So Cal
    220
    25
    0
    Anybody have any more info on the person who died in Catalina today? I had heard a 56 year old female bolted from her instructor while in Catalina during a certification dive. Also heard she was taken to the chamber and later died, possibly of cardiac arrest.
     
    SCUBA482, Nov 1, 2009
    SCUBA482, Nov 1, 2009
    #1
  2. ItsBruce

    ItsBruce Solo Diver

    2,331
    168
    63
    I heard from someone who may have the report being made to the authorities that the instructor had slowed the victim's ascent, but that at 25 feet or so, the victim fought the instructor off and bolted.

    I understand that the Avalon Harbor Patrol was on scene in next to no time and did a heroic effort in the rescue.

    My condolences to the family and to all involved.
     
    ItsBruce, Nov 1, 2009
    ItsBruce, Nov 1, 2009
    #2
  3. MaxBottomtime

    MaxBottomtime Divemaster

    # of Dives: 2,500 - 4,999
    Location: Torrance, CA
    9,297
    9,326
    113
    From the L.A. Times;
    November 1, 2009 | 1:40 pm

    A 55-year-old woman seeking her deep-sea certification died after scuba
    diving off Catalina Island today, according to the Avalon sheriff's station.

    Sheriff's dispatcher Connie Shepard said the woman was transported from the
    Avalon dive park, along with her diving instructor, to a hyperbaric chamber.

    The Los Angeles County Fire Department sent a helicopter to the scene, but
    the woman was transported by boat to the Two Harbors facility, which is run
    by USC, according to Fire Department Inspector Frederic Stowers.

    The woman, who was not identified, was reportedly seeking her deep-sea
    certification when she suddenly rose to the top from more than 65 feet below
    the surface at the park, which is near the Avalon Casino.

    -- Margot Roosevelt
     
    MaxBottomtime, Nov 1, 2009
    MaxBottomtime, Nov 1, 2009
    #3
  4. merxlin

    merxlin ScubaBoard Supporter Staff Member ScubaBoard Supporter

    # of Dives: 500 - 999
    Location: So. Cal.
    6,087
    686
    113
    I was on the island and staying in the same hotel as this group. What Bruce wrote is what I heard from members of the class she was diving with, although no mention of fighting the instructor. There is a newspaper report of an equipment problem but I do not believe that to be true.

    Conditons were perfect: sunny, no wind, no current and 50ft viz. Water is still in the mid 60's. It sounds like nothing more than a classic panic situation.
     
    merxlin, Nov 2, 2009
    merxlin, Nov 2, 2009
    #4
  5. DiveMom1

    DiveMom1 Photographer

    # of Dives: I just don't log dives
    Location: Lake Berryessa, CA
    149
    3
    0
    Wow, sounds like my hubby's attemped deep dive for AOW.. thank goodness there were 3 instructors on him faster than the bubbles. He bolted from over 100' Had it not been for those instructors he would probably not be here today.

    I feel for the family..
     
    DiveMom1, Nov 2, 2009
    DiveMom1, Nov 2, 2009
    #5
  7. DandyDon

    DandyDon Old men ought to be explorers ScubaBoard Supporter

    # of Dives: 200 - 499
    Location: One kilometer high on the Texas Central Plains
    49,796
    5,105
    113
    Condolences thread started in Passings here
     
    DandyDon, Nov 2, 2009
    DandyDon, Nov 2, 2009
    #6
  8. Cave Diver

    Cave Diver Divemaster

    17,866
    2,515
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    A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

    Condolences only have been moved to the Passings thread
     
    Cave Diver, Nov 2, 2009
    Cave Diver, Nov 2, 2009
    #7
  9. SCUBA482

    SCUBA482 Public Safety Diver

    # of Dives: 200 - 499
    Location: So Cal
    220
    25
    0
    Does anybody have an idea what dive op she was getting her certification through? Not that it's extremely important, but wondering if they are on SB and have any light they could shed on this. Also, I heard cardiac arrest was part of the problem, now maybe equipment failure? I wonder if an equipment problem led to a panic situation then cardiac arrest.
     
    SCUBA482, Nov 2, 2009
    SCUBA482, Nov 2, 2009
    #8
  10. Teamcasa

    Teamcasa Sr. Moderator ScubaBoard Supporter

    # of Dives: 500 - 999
    Location: Near Pasadena, CA
    12,121
    440
    83
    This appears to by more a panic issue first and an ascending issue second. Either way, I'm waiting for more information.
     
    Teamcasa, Nov 2, 2009
    Teamcasa, Nov 2, 2009
    #9
  11. merxlin

    merxlin ScubaBoard Supporter Staff Member ScubaBoard Supporter

    # of Dives: 500 - 999
    Location: So. Cal.
    6,087
    686
    113
    Based on the symptoms (frothing, etc.), it was probably a barotrauma caused by rapid ascent due to panic. From my conversation with them, the rapid ascent occurred in the final 15 to 20 ft.
     
    merxlin, Nov 2, 2009
    merxlin, Nov 2, 2009
    #10
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