I'm only going to post the link to the news story for now, will post more as soon as I have more details.
Visitor vanished while diving off Kahala - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL Home
The following is strictly conjecture based on the news report and knowledge of local conditions/diving:
Based on the news report of a wreck dive off of Kahala, the logical site would be the Kahala Barges, known locally as the "Baby Barge" and "Mini Barge." Like the USCG LCDR in the news report says, it's not unusual to dive that side of the island in the conditions present yesterday (obviously once we know more details this will become a good point of discussion as whether it was smart to dive in those conditions). Almost all dives on Oahu booked through a dive shop are guided dives, in practice this means either a Dive Master or Instructor leads the entire group on the dive. In this case because the dive operation owned its own boat it is therefore likely the entire group went on the dive together. Leading group dives in sporty conditions is a giant logistical challenge and unless you count noses constantly divers can be easily separated. Another point to keep in mind is that a majority of divers on Oahu are vacation divers with a limited amount of experience, both as divers, and with local conditions.
My personal opinion is that we have a perfect storm of: rough conditions, a guided dive with no clear dive buddies, current, and an inexperienced diver.
Michael
Visitor vanished while diving off Kahala - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL Home
The following is strictly conjecture based on the news report and knowledge of local conditions/diving:
Based on the news report of a wreck dive off of Kahala, the logical site would be the Kahala Barges, known locally as the "Baby Barge" and "Mini Barge." Like the USCG LCDR in the news report says, it's not unusual to dive that side of the island in the conditions present yesterday (obviously once we know more details this will become a good point of discussion as whether it was smart to dive in those conditions). Almost all dives on Oahu booked through a dive shop are guided dives, in practice this means either a Dive Master or Instructor leads the entire group on the dive. In this case because the dive operation owned its own boat it is therefore likely the entire group went on the dive together. Leading group dives in sporty conditions is a giant logistical challenge and unless you count noses constantly divers can be easily separated. Another point to keep in mind is that a majority of divers on Oahu are vacation divers with a limited amount of experience, both as divers, and with local conditions.
My personal opinion is that we have a perfect storm of: rough conditions, a guided dive with no clear dive buddies, current, and an inexperienced diver.
Michael
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