Two tourists die while diving in the Keys

Ally · 01-08-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

KEY LARGO - Monroe County Sheriff's officials say two people died in separate diving incidents on Sunday and Monday.

A 51-year-old Wisconsin man was on his second dive Monday with the Gulf Stream Eagle out of the Atlantis Dive Center when he was found face down near the surface of the water, according to the Sheriff's Office. He was pulled aboard the boat, crew members started CPR and the Coast Guard was called. The man, who was not identified pending notification of relatives, was pronounced dead at 12:30 p.m.

On Sunday afternoon, Nancy Kreiter, of Bel Air, Md., was diving with her family in John Pennekamp State Park. Her husband told officials that she had wanted to learn to dive for 10 years and that they and their two children took scuba lessons together to fulfill that dream. They became certified just two days before her death.

After surfacing, witnesses say, Kreiter swam back to the commercial boat they were with and collapsed. Another dive boat nearby took her to shore, where paramedics awaited. She was pronounced dead shortly after.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/loc...tory?track=rss

MgicTwnger · 01-08-2008, 08:35 PM

Sad news, I visit Key Largo every year and love it.

**dalehall** · 01-09-2008, 12:16 AM

Wow.. What is it with all the deaths and near-death experiences?? Maybe it's just making the news more like the "Year of the Shark." That year shark attacks were all over the news, but there were actually less attacks that year than the previous year. Maybe all the news about these experiences will press people to get the training they need and not just stop with the basic Open Water cert. I, personally, think every diver that wants to learn to dive should go through no less than Rescue Diver. I just don't feel you learn enough in O/W training to stay safe on anything other than 40-60 foot basic dives. Just my opinion.

**glynneco** · 01-09-2008, 02:34 AM

My argument is that what is needed is a long term mentor relationship. More advanced courses are part of that but a long term relationship with an advanced diver i

**dalehall** · 01-09-2008, 10:05 AM

I agree.. Luckily for me, my instructor became my mentor and friend during my O/W course. He got me to go through AOW and Rescue under him and now I'm doing my DM Candidate with him. He wants me to be an instructor at the LDS with him, so he's guided me along. It helps...

Scuba Mama · 01-09-2008, 02:59 PM

Dale, I more then agree about advance training. We tell our new divers, now you have the right to learn more. It surprises me how many will stop taking training after they complete open water. It also sad to think if the new diver had taken a little more time the sport and done advanced diving the outcome may have been better. However, no amount of training will ever replace good judgement and looking out for your personal safety.

ScubaMama

MgicTwnger · 01-09-2008, 06:40 PM

I've had lots of mentors: I dive with the best divers who will have me along and pick their brains. Divers allways seem glad to share their knowledge.