Posted by tleemay on May 21, 2001 at 10:05:41:
In Reply to: Santa Cruz Island fatality - buddy, not solo posted by AADIVER on May 21, 2001 at 08:32:56:
A point of reference here Frank;
I have standing next to me someone who was on the
boat Saturday and talked to the now deceased diver
in between dives 1 and 2. This person was also a
first witness to the event as it unfolded.
The diver showed up at the boat solo. It's not
clear to this witness if she had a buddy on the
first dive.
The deceased was discussing among others after the
first dive telling how uncomfortable she was in
the high current and had difficulty negotiating
the current line as she returned to the boat. Her
equipment showed signs of regular use, including
her 'custom' fitted wetsuit which, as I am being
told, had seen better days.
Before the second dive, she was for sure paired
up with a gentleman as a buddy team. The 2nd dive
was in a much more calm and still area than dive
one with very little if any current. The vis was
also much cleared at this site.
She panicked between 9-10 minutes into the 2nd
dive. She started grabbing and clawing at her
buddy. Her buddy bolted to the surface and yelled
for help. 2 members of the club who held half the
charter charters group that day pulled her up
and out.
She was found at depth with here reg in her mouth.
By the description of actions I heard, the captain
and crew of the boat did everything they could in
trying to save her IMO.
USGC took her off the boat and motored here back
to the mainland. The helo showed up in the
distance as they were already underway.
My sincere condolences to her family, and to the
buddy whe was paired up with who bolted to the
surface to get help. As everyone knows, it's not
just the relatives and friends who are directly
affected by such an event.