Thank you for sharing the incident. That is tragic. Reading through it, I realize I should get a dive knife. It came in handy in cutting the hook line.
I don't think this was a panicked diver death. I do believe she was knocked out somehow (maybe with someone's tank as they flew by in the current) because she had her reg in her mouth and still had air and I fail to see how she could have drowned unless she was unconscious. But, in reading the DAN incident reports over the years it seams that panic is the primary cause of diver mistakes. I don't know how you mitigate that in all cases. I practiced an out-of-air situation in my OW, just like everyone else. But, I had that happen once a long time ago. I was at an ascent line at my safety stop and it's a longish story, but needless to say I did something stupid and I knew better and that's why it happened. But I can tell you that when your tank shuts off and you're not expecting it, it is a very different experience than the OW one. In the OW training, you knew it was going to happen and you prepared for it. In my situation, it cut off mid-breath. I was sucking in when it stopped and as a result, I sucked in water and started coughing. I grabbed my buddies alternate and made a safe ascent. But that experience taught me that no matter how much you prepare, the real situation can be different than what you practiced.
I think practicing an ascent from a safety stop without a mask is a good idea. I will do that. And, I'll also practice reg recovery underwater. I have done it before, but it's not something that happens often. Unfortunately, the rest is really mental (not panicking if something happens, and not being a nervous diver). Experience helps with that. And, the dive master and guides I use will help me feel safer and less nervous.
I don't think this was a panicked diver death. I do believe she was knocked out somehow (maybe with someone's tank as they flew by in the current) because she had her reg in her mouth and still had air and I fail to see how she could have drowned unless she was unconscious. But, in reading the DAN incident reports over the years it seams that panic is the primary cause of diver mistakes. I don't know how you mitigate that in all cases. I practiced an out-of-air situation in my OW, just like everyone else. But, I had that happen once a long time ago. I was at an ascent line at my safety stop and it's a longish story, but needless to say I did something stupid and I knew better and that's why it happened. But I can tell you that when your tank shuts off and you're not expecting it, it is a very different experience than the OW one. In the OW training, you knew it was going to happen and you prepared for it. In my situation, it cut off mid-breath. I was sucking in when it stopped and as a result, I sucked in water and started coughing. I grabbed my buddies alternate and made a safe ascent. But that experience taught me that no matter how much you prepare, the real situation can be different than what you practiced.
I think practicing an ascent from a safety stop without a mask is a good idea. I will do that. And, I'll also practice reg recovery underwater. I have done it before, but it's not something that happens often. Unfortunately, the rest is really mental (not panicking if something happens, and not being a nervous diver). Experience helps with that. And, the dive master and guides I use will help me feel safer and less nervous.
whatever it is you choose, I recommend full suit for protection. Urchins, coral, etc. especially with current around. You can get knocked around.
