Overview and Objective: The following should be considered a “best guess” approximation of the events that led to this unfortunate outcome. If “speculation” is a better disclaimer...then use it. Some comments made in US and UK papers are used but their accuracy is not guaranteed. Likewise, some comments made in Post #237 are incorporated but are not considered verified.
The point of this approximation of events is to establish a scenario to aid new divers, divers new to Cozumel diving and others to discuss possible problem areas and how to respond to them. Ultimately, there was likely a chain of events, possibly in and of themselves may not have lead to a bad outcome, but in their totality, a missing diver event occurred.
1. Diver information:
Diver A (the missing diver) is a female. Certified several years ago. Advanced Open Water (AOW) certification level. Diver A is not current and underwent a refresher activity at the Cozumel dive shop prior to diving. This was the first ocean diving experience for her. Estimated number of dives could be less than 20. Diver A is reported to be adventurous and likely in good physical condition.
Diver B. This is Diver A’s dive buddy. Assumed to be her brother. I have seen no information on the dive buddies experience level so will assume for this discussion to be comparable to that of Diver A.
2. Dive boat: Calypso. Some information on that boat is located here:
Dive Paradise, Cozumel MX - Our Fleet
Currently there is no indication that the boat or number of divers on the boat played any factor in this event.
3. Dive group: This has not been established to my knowledge but will assume a maximum of eight divers plus a divemaster (DM). There is no indication that group size/composition played any factor in the event.
4. Dive site: Palancar Caves: One description is below:
Reefs of Cozumel - palancar caves
5. Dive site conditions: To be supplied if provided.
6. Scenario leading to the missing diver event: Towards the end of the dive, Diver A reaches a position ahead of the group, either on purpose or due to a differential in current-induced groundspeed.
a) This will be taken as the first problem in the chain of events leading to the diver disappearance. There is also a well taught and easily implemented solution in strict adherence to the buddy system. Imagine that a good buddy system has each diver checking on the buddy approximately every 30-60 seconds.....even if just peripherally. Staying close to your buddy and recognizing early that they go astray makes it easier to get their attention to come back (if you have a signally device) or notifying the DM to assist as required.
b) This is an area where the guidance of a private DM can allow a diver to more quickly become proficient diving in Cozumel. Possible skills development follow:
1) Diver gets ahead of group: DM shows diver how to face into the current and slowly fin so that the group behind gets closer. DM shows the diver how to drop behind a coral formation and remain stationary while the group catches up.
2) Diver gets behind the group: DM shows the diver how to slowly fin and catch up the the group. Note that this should not be rocket science but part of this is allowing the diver to experience a new event and learn that they can stop, evaluate the situation and calmly make the right decision without fear or panic.
3) Diver is separated from the group in an unknown position relative to the group: DM shows the diver how to identify the group from various positions (behind, ahead, lateral) using bubbles, current evaluation, bubbles filtering through coral above swim throughs, etc. Once the group is found, diver uses appropriate means to rejoin.
Continuing the scenario, the group and Diver A ascend. From the the limited information, we do not know if visual contact was established or if it was, when it was lost, but apparently upon surfacing by the main group, Diver A was not to be found.
c. This ascent separation will be used as the second in the chain of events. While surfacing alone is not a death sentence, this seems to be a factor in two other recent Cozumel fatalities. Ascending as a group...or a minimum a buddy team...does offer safety advantages. If a diver runs low on air, there are others around. A fatal heart attack, while probably still fatal, at least results in the immediate recovery of the victim. Since this part of the event is so unclear and possibly may never have a factual accounting, we will provide possible skills development so that a person who finds themself in a buddy team of low experience divers, or a lone diver, will be more likely to react calmly and reach the surface safely.
1) The private DM can ascend with the buddy team suitably separated from the rest of the divers. Divers A and B will ascend to a suitable deep safety stop and wait until the DM feels that they are cable of remaining at that level. Ascend to a normal 15 foot depth for a three minute or so safety stop. Perhaps at the lower stop could be a time for the DM to deploy his SMB (safety sausage equivalent). If it can be done safely, the dive boat could make a nearby pass so that the divers experience what an approaching and receding dive boat motor sounds like. Then when the real safety stop is done, verify that no boat motors are heard and make a safe ascent and prepare for a quick area look for boats and related safety configurations.
2) This skills development assumes that the diver is alone and must make a solo ascent. The exact manner to do this is subject to proper teaching conditions but could have the two divers separated by several feet....back to back and angled slightly away from the DM to simulate being alone. Repeat the steps of #1 above with the DM right there to correct any less than ideal steps taken by the divers. As with other skills development, this gives the diver an opportunity to simulate an event in a controlled environment so that if it ever happens, they are more likely to react calmly.
Conclusion (mucho opinion): Having a basic scuba certification, or even an AOW card are nothing more than a gateway to improving your diving skills. My view is that people with minimal diving experience would be well served by taking time with a private DM and learn the skills needed to make diving Cozumel more enjoyable. I am a strong believer in self-reliance. Become proficient enough that you are an asset to your buddy and ultimately able to safely terminate a dive alone should that situation develop.
Disclaimer: I am not a scuba instructor so read with appropriate caveats.
