scuba_katt
Contributor
Sorry for the long post, but saw this on another dive site this morning, was wondering if anyone knew of these two men.
My condolences to their family and friends.
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"Double death under the ice"
27-January-2003 @ 11:16:14 PM
LOWDEN, Iowa The bodies of two Quad-City area men who apparently died in an ice-diving accident were found early Sunday.
Kevin Michael Petersen, 31, and Tracy Michael Humphreys, 30, were discovered about 9:45 a.m. Sunday.
Petersen and Humphreys had planned to go ice scuba diving Saturday at Wendling Quarry, 2080 160th St., about three miles southwest of here, according to the Cedar County Sheriffs Department. They were dropped off but did not appear when their ride came to pick them up. The driver waited for several hours for the divers, then called for help.
Emergency personnel, including the Lowden Fire Department, Cedar County Sheriffs Department, Bettendorf Fire and Rescue, the Special Operations Response Team and Dive Operations searched the area. The divers personal gear and clothing were discovered near two holes cut in the ice.
Divers made several attempts late Saturday to find the two men. The search was called off about 1 a.m. Sunday because of extreme weather conditions.
The search began again at 7:30 a.m. Sunday with members of the Lowden and Wheatland fire departments and the Cedar County Sheriffs Department. Petersen and Humphreys were found underneath the ice about 275 feet out into the quarry. They were pronounced dead at the scene by the Cedar County medical examiners staff. The bodies were transported to St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids, where autopsies have been scheduled.
Mark Poulos, scuba instructor for Sentry Scuba out of Moline, is a certified ice diver and an ice diving instructor. He served as a technical adviser Saturday night at the quarry.
Mostly your rescue people around here do the ice diving. Its used primarily for rescue and recovery, he said.
He said that ice diving requires special training, and death is rare if proper procedures are followed. It is very beautiful if you do it properly. The water is clearer (during the winter) in most lakes than in the summer time. Actually, its warmer under the ice than it is on top. Its at least 33 degrees under the ice, and youre not dealing with wind chill.
Divers cut triangle-shaped holes in the ice, he said. Its easier to get in and out because youve got the point there, and you can put your hands up on the ice to help you get out. And having someone on the outside also helps you get in and out.
With proper equipment, people can stay under about 20 or 30 minutes.
The major problem with diving under the ice is that you have to watch for hypothermia, Poulos said. Hypothermia happens when the core temperature of your body dips to a point where it starts affecting your other organs. It affects your internal organs, and it can kill you. It just numbs you completely, he said.
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I've never done anything as wild as Ice Diving. Anyone want to share their experiences? I know it would just be speculation, but what could have caused both men to have trouble?
:tribute:
Once again, my thoughts go to their loved ones.
My condolences to their family and friends.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Double death under the ice"
27-January-2003 @ 11:16:14 PM
LOWDEN, Iowa The bodies of two Quad-City area men who apparently died in an ice-diving accident were found early Sunday.
Kevin Michael Petersen, 31, and Tracy Michael Humphreys, 30, were discovered about 9:45 a.m. Sunday.
Petersen and Humphreys had planned to go ice scuba diving Saturday at Wendling Quarry, 2080 160th St., about three miles southwest of here, according to the Cedar County Sheriffs Department. They were dropped off but did not appear when their ride came to pick them up. The driver waited for several hours for the divers, then called for help.
Emergency personnel, including the Lowden Fire Department, Cedar County Sheriffs Department, Bettendorf Fire and Rescue, the Special Operations Response Team and Dive Operations searched the area. The divers personal gear and clothing were discovered near two holes cut in the ice.
Divers made several attempts late Saturday to find the two men. The search was called off about 1 a.m. Sunday because of extreme weather conditions.
The search began again at 7:30 a.m. Sunday with members of the Lowden and Wheatland fire departments and the Cedar County Sheriffs Department. Petersen and Humphreys were found underneath the ice about 275 feet out into the quarry. They were pronounced dead at the scene by the Cedar County medical examiners staff. The bodies were transported to St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids, where autopsies have been scheduled.
Mark Poulos, scuba instructor for Sentry Scuba out of Moline, is a certified ice diver and an ice diving instructor. He served as a technical adviser Saturday night at the quarry.
Mostly your rescue people around here do the ice diving. Its used primarily for rescue and recovery, he said.
He said that ice diving requires special training, and death is rare if proper procedures are followed. It is very beautiful if you do it properly. The water is clearer (during the winter) in most lakes than in the summer time. Actually, its warmer under the ice than it is on top. Its at least 33 degrees under the ice, and youre not dealing with wind chill.
Divers cut triangle-shaped holes in the ice, he said. Its easier to get in and out because youve got the point there, and you can put your hands up on the ice to help you get out. And having someone on the outside also helps you get in and out.
With proper equipment, people can stay under about 20 or 30 minutes.
The major problem with diving under the ice is that you have to watch for hypothermia, Poulos said. Hypothermia happens when the core temperature of your body dips to a point where it starts affecting your other organs. It affects your internal organs, and it can kill you. It just numbs you completely, he said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I've never done anything as wild as Ice Diving. Anyone want to share their experiences? I know it would just be speculation, but what could have caused both men to have trouble?
:tribute:
Once again, my thoughts go to their loved ones.