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2013-08-13 Incident
Date of Incident: August 08, 2013
Time of Incident: 12:15PM
Victim, male, age: 40
Type of Activity: Cave diving
Outcome: Deceased
Three certified cave divers (Victim, Diver #2, and Diver #3) planned to do a stage dive in the devils system. Before the dive, Diver #2 questioned the contents of the stage bottle his dive buddy, the Victim, was planning to use. The bottle was labeled “OXYGEN 20’”. The Victim replied, when asked what was in the bottle, “only air”. Victim also stated he had brought it from home. They proceeded with the dive. The team entered the cave thru Devils Eye at 11:33am. They proceeded thru the key hole (about 10 minutes) Diver#2 noticed Victim have what appeared to be a seizure and tense up. Within 1 minute Victim relaxed and Diver #3 positioned a regulator from Victim’s back gas into Victim’s mouth. The team proceeded to swim him out. Victim appeared to breath but lent no assistance on the exit. A cave instructor and student encountered the team coming to the lips and provided assistance to the gallery. They then left the team to prepare assistance at the surface.
A bystander was asked to get help and he alerted Katie Manski of Ginnie Springs: Diver in distress. Katie grabbed the store jump bag and proceeded to the Devils System to assess the situation. Katie called 911 at 12:18pm. They had already been called. Upon arrival Victim was on the ground with no pulse. Another customer took charge and began CPR. There was no pulse at this time. Katie called me, Rose Meadows, at 12:25pm to come assist. Upon my arrival, Spring Ridge Fire Department, Gilchrist County EMS and Sherriff’s Deputies were on the scene. The AED was hooked up and CPR was being performed. Victim was transported to N.F. Regional Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
Through statements from dive buddies and review of the diver’s equipment we learned he had entered in on an aluminum 80 stage bottle labeled OXYGEN 20’. This was the only bottled he used (breathed from) on the way into the cave. The Al 80 was analyzed by Jim Wyatt and showed 98% Oxygen @ 300PSI.
Equipment details:
1- Al80 98% O2 @ 300 PSI with Apex regulator PLA677 (labeled OXYGEN 20’)
2- AL40 93% O2 @2700 PSI with Apex regulator
3- Double 104’s 29.8% @2400 PSI Apex den first stages 1301.6423/EN250A
1301.6443/EN250A
Right post 7’ hose with primary regulator – BCD inflator
Left post Oxycheck SPG- Dry suit inflator and alternate regulator secured on necklace
All post fully open and functual
4- Light Monkey 21 Hid primary (owed by a friend)
Scuba Pro Nova 230 back-up light (dry suit pocket)
Scuba Pro Nova 200 back-up light (dry suit pocket)
5- Scuba Pro back plate with crotch strap
6- Deep Edge 55# wing
7- 6 line arrows and 3 line cookies attached to SS clip
8- DUI Flex Extreme Dry Suit ( cut off diver) with booties
9- OMS Fins
10- Z- knife
11- Halcyon wet notes with several deco schedules (dry suit pocket)
12- Shearwater computer set @ 21% Dive # 83 08-08-2013
Devils System Cave Start: 10:33/ End: 11:06 Max depth 89’ Average depth 58’
Dive #82 08-07-2013
Devils System Cave Start: 18:27/ End: 18:53 Max depth 79’ Average depth 46’
*Note computer time is one hour behind our time
The information in this report was compiled by Rose Meadows based witness statements and information gathered at the scene. It is true and accurate to the best of my ability.
Rose Meadows
General Manager
Ginnie Springs Outdoors LLC