I have been reading this entire thread with a heavy heart. My sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to Tamara's family and friends. It is my desire that we will all be able to learn something from this horrible event. I am a DM, and my husband works for Dive Paradise. I will pass along some of what he has told me. First of all, let me say that my purpose in doing this is only to educate. It is not to point fingers, blame or argue with anyone. I feel like I am jumping in a rattlesnake pit here, but I am hopeful that if at least one person is prevented from making the same mistake, then it will be worth it. As a dive professional and future instructor, my intent will be to use this as a "Please don't let this happen to you' example.
First, let me say that my husband was not on the boat with this diver. He was on a different boat at the same dive site at the same general time, however. As soon as they were made aware of the situation they called in all DP boats as well as boats from other dive shops to come help and there were many, many boats looking, according to him. Of course, he has spoken several times with the DM of Tamara's group. I do not believe it is my place to discuss that conversation since,obviously, I was not there and my husband was not with their group. I will say that he (my husband) belives that standard procedures were followed, and that this DM did all he could do with what he had to deal with. There was a very strong current at that reef that morning (not to be confused with a down current).
Here is where I believe we can all learn something. It is my understanding that Tamara came to the dive shop with an AOW. However, she had not been diving in a long time, and indicated that it was her first ocean dive, so, per shop policy she had to do a refresher course. During this refresher, the instructor recommended that she have a private DM go with her. She responded by laughing and saying no thank you, she was an advanced diver. Sadly, we know how this story ends. There are many other details that would be helpful to know, but I doubt if we ever will. However, the one thing we as divers CAN learn, is to respect a new environment and not put all your faith in little plastic certification cards. Your faith has to be in your comfort level and skills, which, in my opinion comes only with experience - not cert. cards. If you are rusty, or inexperienced or nervous then for God's sake, tell the divemasters and take the advice of the dive shop. It is YOUR responsibility as a diver to do so. I am so sad that this turned out the way it did. It seems like it was entirely avoidable. My husband and I regularly see people who would rather spend $35.00 to $40.00 on beer after the dives each day(and I am not at all suggesting that is what this diver did) than for a private DM. Very lamentable.
As for the news accounts saying they found her body, when I spoke to my husband tonight I said I had heard that her body was found. He was surprised and said he had not heard that and he hung up with me to call the shop. When he called me back, he said no, to their knowledge, she had not been found yet. The owner had divers searching all day some going down to 300ft to look. I read him the 'news' article and he said it was bull s**t. Right then, the local news came on and they were still reporting her as missing as confirmed by the harbor master. Then someone called the news room to say they had heard that she was found and the news guy said they would check into that, but that he doubted it because he had just talked to the HM and was told she had not been found. (I am in the states until Friday which is why we have been taking by phone). For those of you not familiar with Cozumel 'newspapers' , let me second what Christi has said... most of them are National Enquirer type rags where the 'reporter' gets paid by the story with no accountability for what is said.
So, I apologize for being very verbose tonight and I hope everyone receives this in the spirit it was intended.
