Diver Incident at Dutch Springs Nov 6 2010

[pjbonacum]

Diver taken from Dutch Springs today via ambulance. Reportedly unconscious and not breathing underwater. Also reported to have been talking in the hospital.

Only hard facts are seeing people doing CPR on a person on the peninsula side (from the student side) and the arrival/departure of the ambulances and firetrucks.

 

[pjbonacum]

Report:

Unconscious diver at Dutch Springs revived by rescuers
Published: Saturday, November 06, 2010, 2:12 PM Updated: Saturday, November 06, 2010, 9:31 PM
Sarah Cassi | The Express-Times
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View full sizeExpress-Times File Photo | JOE GILLDivers prepare to go under water at Dutch Springs in Lower Nazareth Township.

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Share 1 Comments Rescuers revived a 51-year-old diver who was found unconscious under water today at Dutch Springs.

William R. Bedford, 51, of Media, Pa., was in stable condition later in the day at St. Luke’s Hospital in Fountain Hill, Colonial Regional police said.

Bedford was diving with his daughter at the diving enthusiasts’ attraction at 4733 Hanoverville Road when he was found unconscious beneath the surface, police said.

Authorities called for a water rescue about 11:30 this morning, but the rescue was canceled after other divers were able to pull Bedford from the water, police said.

When rescuers arrived, Bedford was unresponsive and not breathing, but emergency medical technicians from Dutch Springs, Bethlehem Township, Pa., and the Hecktown Ambulance Corps were able to revive him, according to police.

Bedford was taken to by ambulance to the hospital, police said.

Police said it appears there was a malfunction with Bedford’s diving equipment. It happened during a recreational dive, police said.

Attempts to reach Dutch Springs owner Stu Schooley for comment were unsuccessful.

The 50-acre lake, as much as 100 feet deep in places, is a popular diving, snorkeling and outdoor recreation center known for its clear water. The former National Portland Cement Co. quarry straddles the Lower Nazareth Township and Bethlehem Township boundaries.

 

[DandyDon]

Wow, close call - nice save by those on the scene. :medal:

Police said it appears there was a malfunction with Bedford’s diving equipment.

Got to wonder about that? It'd be nice to learn what happened if anyone in the know wants to tell. Sounds like it had to be problem with reg or maybe BC? OW trains on the basic solutions from such possible problems. Good points to practice, drill, stay in habit.

 

[kpdivers]

Wow Awesome SAVE! but......Really wish they would wait (Express Times) for accurate facts before publishing it.

Speedy recovery to the victim and enjoy life to it's fullest!

 

[mcjangles]

Wow Awesome SAVE! but......Really wish they would wait (Express Times) for accurate facts before publishing it.

Speedy recovery to the victim and enjoy life to it's fullest!

Facts in the posted article are accurate. Diver was kept overnight in the hospital for observation and is otherwise fine. It was the quick actions of his 15 year old daughter that saved his life.

Wow, close call - nice save by those on the scene. :medal:

Got to wonder about that? It'd be nice to learn what happened if anyone in the know wants to tell. Sounds like it had to be problem with reg or maybe BC? OW trains on the basic solutions from such possible problems. Good points to practice, drill, stay in habit.

It was rebreather related.

 

[Cave Diver]

It was rebreather related.

Do you have more information regarding this?

 

[Garrobo]

A guy loses it under water because of "problems with his BC"? How rediculous.

 

[SeaCobra]

A guy loses it under water because of "problems with his BC"? How rediculous.

As mcjangles reported, 'it was not problems with his bc'. Lets wait for the facts before we start casting stones.

 

[DandyDon]

It was rebreather related.

Ohhhhhhhh! Thanks.

As mcjangles reported, 'it was not problems with his bc'. Lets wait for the facts before we start casting stones.

I don't want to pitch rocks at anyone. Not the reason for these discussions, which is to learn from others' accidents, but sounds like it doesn't apply to most of us.

 

[Cave Diver]

Not the reason for these discussions, which is to learn from others' accidents, but sounds like it doesn't apply to most of us.

I highly doubt that. Most "rebreather related" problems are directly related to user error or maintenance problems. Those issues can affect anyone, whether OC or CCR.

Complacency can kill anyone, it just strikes faster on CCR. If this turns out to be the case, excusing yourself from it by saying it doesn't apply because you dive OC is doing a disservice to yourself.