Rob Stewart Investigation

[Subfiend]

How was Stewart a TDI-certified Advanced Trimix Instructor? He didn't log enough hours to be a trimix diver according to what I've heard.

Stewart held 11 technical diving instructor certifications from TDI. They were issued by a Canadian instructor in 2000.

 

[The Chairman]

You only need a credit card and a willing stooge to get that these days.

 

[Wookie]

Stewart held 11 technical diving instructor certifications from TDI. They were issued by a Canadian instructor in 2000.

Ah. Not rebreather, OC.

GOt it.

 

[Subfiend]

You only need a credit card and a willing stooge to get that these days.

Sadly, this is true.

 

[Subfiend]

Ah. Not rebreather, OC.

GOt it.

One was SCR. Ironically, he probably could have crossed over to IANTD to teach the Advanced Trimix Course he did not finish. It's the same course regardless of whether the diver uses OC or CCR.

 

[Subfiend]

I was really looking forward to trying this case. A ton of new evidence was disclosed in the the second half of 2023 that made things very interesting and awkward for many parties.

Among other things, the Medical Examiner failed to adequately consider Rob Stewart's medical history. Here is an excerpt from Stewart's 2012 book, "Save the Humans," in which he discusses his lifelong history of low blood pressure and how he "often ride the line between being here, and fainting." Stewart did not disclose his low blood pressure on any of the three medical forms he filled out for his rebreather instruction courses or on the liability waiver he filled out before his final dives. Similarly, he failed to disclose that he was taking a daily prescription medication, the side effects of which include "dizziness, weakness, feeling like you might pass out."

Also, Stewart never obtained a comprehensive occupational diver’s medical fitness examination conducted by a physician knowledgeable and competent in diving medicine, which was required by Canadian law for commercial underwater filmmaking. This was likely because he was medically disqualified from occupational diving due to his low blood pressure. One of the many lessons to be learned from this incident is to be honest about your medical condition and know what could happen when you venture underwater.

He also failed to obtain a permit to film in a National Marine Sanctuary, which would have required him to file his dive plans, team qualifications and Occupational Diver's Certificate of Medical Fitness issued by the Diver Certification Board of Canada (which his employer, Sharkwater Productions, was legally required to keep in its files but could not seem to locate during discovery). Ironically, there were internal emails between members of the production team asking if Horizon Divers was willing to undertake the charter even though the film crew did not have the necessary permits (which would never have been issued by NOAA to film an endangered species like the sawfish).

Sadly, the effects of this loss are all too common: family and friends are still grieving, multiple parties endured several years of expensive litigation, and no final conclusion about what actually happened was ever achieved.

 

[Subfiend]

I was really looking forward to trying this case. A ton of new evidence was disclosed in the the second half of 2023 that made things very interesting and awkward for many parties.

Among other things, the Medical Examiner failed to adequately consider Rob Stewart's medical history case. Here is an excerpt from Stewart's 2012 book, "Save the Humans," in which he discusses his lifelong history of low blood pressure and how he "often ride the line between being here, and fainting." Stewart did not disclose his low blood pressure on any of the three medical forms he filled out for his rebreather instruction courses or on the liability waiver he filled out before his final dives. Similarly, he failed to disclose that he was taking a daily prescription medication, the side effects of which include "dizziness, weakness, feeling like you might pass out."

Also, Stewart never obtained a comprehensive occupational diver’s medical fitness examination conducted by a physician knowledgeable and competent in diving medicine, which was required by Canadian law for commercial underwater filmmaking. This was likely because he was medically disqualified from occupational diving due to his low blood pressure. One of the many lessons to be learned from this incident is to be honest about your medical condition and know what could happen when you venture underwater.

He also failed to obtain a permit to film in a National Marine Sanctuary, which would have required him to file his dive plans, team qualifications and Occupational Diver's Certificate of Medical Fitness issued by the Diver Certification Board of Canada (which his employer, Sharkwater Productions, was legally required to keep in its files but could not seem to locate during discovery). Ironically, there were internal emails between members of the production team asking if Horizon Divers was willing to undertake the charter even though the film crew did not have the necessary permits (which would never have been issued by NOAA to film an endangered species like the sawfish).

Sadly, the effects of this loss are all too common: family and friends are still grieving, multiple parties endured several years of expensive litigation, and no final conclusion about what actually happened was ever achieved.

Hmmm... I'm not sure why so much of that last post is crossed out.

 

[Subfiend]

If you are keeping track at home, the lessons to be learned include: (1) get proper training for your dives and the equipment you plan to use; (2) be honest about your medical condition with yourself and others; (3) dive within your limits; (4) don't lie to your dive computer; (5) don't make a rapid ascent, especially after omitting decompression on prior dives; (6) expect the side effects of medications to be greater underwater, with increased workloads and ambient pressure; (7) follow legal and occupational safety guidelines; (8 ) follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the scuba gear you are using; (9) have adequate safety personnel and equipment available in case of emergency; and (10) stop diving if you experience tunnel vision at depth.

Did I mention the tunnel vision yet? That was a hot topic of conversation on the B-roll filmed on the boat.

 

[Wookie]

Hmmm... I'm not sure why so much of that last post is crossed out.

FIFY

 

[The Chairman]

Hmmm... I'm not sure why so much of that last post is crossed out.

I was wondering that myself. Thanks for editing it.