Accident Report Detail
Accident: 170032098 - Diver Trainee Drowns In Rough Water While Scuba Diving
Accident: 170032098 -- Report ID: 0111100 -- Event Date: 12/19/1992 | |||||||
Inspection | Open Date | SIC | Establishment Name | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
109799783 | 01/07/1993 | 7389 | Kevin G. Whitney | ||||
At approximately 9:30 a.m. on December 19, 1992, Employee #1, although virtually untrained, was performing a commercial dive for sea urchins in approximately 40 ft of water in the open sea. Water conditions that day were rough, and visibility was poor. While wearing a full complement of SCUBA diving equipment, including a dry suit, Employee #1 apparently became separated from his diving partner/trainer and surfaced. Employee #1 called to the boat operator, then slipped beneath the water before the operator could reach him. Employee #1 was recovered about 2 1/2 hours later and had apparently drowned after suffering an embolism. No problems existed with the equipment; ample air was in his tank. Injuries documented were consistent with the injuries sustained by someone who holds his/her breath while ascending to the water's surface. Lack of adequate training played a major role in this fatality. | |||||||
Keywords:
embolism, scuba, work rules, drown, untrained, diver, commercial diving, poor visibility, water
| |||||||
Employee # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree | Nature | Occupation | |
1 | 109799783 | Fatality | Other | Occupation not reported |