Remembering Michael "Mike" Riopel

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 16th March 2008, 03:36

On Saturday, March 15, 2008, my friend and colleague, Mike Riopel lost his life while on a CCR dive off of Pompano Beach, Florida.

I first met Mike at the Rebreather World 2006 party. He also attended the party in 2007. We have exchanged email and PM's over time, always trying to find the chance to dive with one another. We had hoped to dive together during the Rebreather World Post DEMA 2007 Dive to the Hydro Atlantic, and this dive canceled due to poor weather.

We finally had the chance to start diving together as Optima instructor candidates. Mike was a very thorough, dedicated and considerate diver and instructor, and we became good friends over the short time that we got to know each other better. During this time, we worked together between sessions, sharing information and experiences as we went over our hurdles on the way to becoming Optima instructors.

Mike spent his last day with several of us on a Florida S.C.R.U.B. dive outing, a fun dive on the wreck of the Guy Harvey. Everyone was talking and sharing stories together on the boat before gearing up for the dive, and it was the first chance many in our group had to meet Mike. He got along well with everyone right from the start.

Again due to Mike's dedication, he buddied up with a newly certified Optima diver to lend his experience while his buddy expanded his diving horizons on what I believe was his first wreck dive past his intitial training dives. Mike's last full dive was a great and enjoyable one.

We will miss you, Mike.

Narcosis · 17th March 2008, 15:01

The class of people posting on this thead, is as high as people come. Thank you for that...

I was notified sunday am of Michael Riopel's passing by his both his friends and family and along with evryone here, morning his loss. I had the privelage of teaching both his Divemaster course and IDC back in 04.

Scuba diving has lost one of its amazing professional members, and many of us have lost a friend.

When I am updated with service information, I'll be sure to let you know.

Mike Winkles
PADI Course Director

JamesSterling · 17th March 2008, 15:39

The news of the accident is very saddening. I knew the diver personally and I know the diving community will miss him greatly. My respects to the family and friends. We went through our divemaster and Instructor course together with Mr. Winkles., and had some great memories. See ya in the eternal ocean.

**sfldiver** · 17th March 2008, 16:36

I met Mike in person for the first time on the morning of Saturday, March 15th, the day that ultimately turned out to be his last dive trip. Prior to the boat’s departure and during the first half of our trip, myself and the other Florida S.C.R.U.B.’s divers onboard talked with him and shared some past diving experiences. When I surfaced from my second dive, I was very saddened to learn of his involvement in the tragic accident. However, I feel fortunate to have been blessed with the opportunity to meet and interact with Mike while we participated in the sport he apparently loved so much. I’m positive that I am a better person because of my interaction with him that day.

My sincerest condolences go out to his family.

Dutchy · 17th March 2008, 17:12

My thoughts are with everyone that lost someone they admired or loved. RIP

CharlieT · 17th March 2008, 18:14

I didn't know Mike but am sad to learn of this news.

My condolences to his family and friends.

mempilot · 17th March 2008, 19:11

Mike,

I know you are following this this thread from where you are now, as your extended family joins in memory of your participation in our sport. I enjoyed our predive conversation about training, certifications, goals, aspirations, and rebreathers in general. I looked forward to future dives with you.

My heartfelt condolences go to your wife and children, and wish them to know that Mike was with friends when he passed.

You will be greatly missed.

Eric

Barrie Law · 17th March 2008, 20:14

Deepest condolences to his family and friends.

May he rest in peace.

Barrie

Doppler · 17th March 2008, 21:06

Very sorry to hear this... a good guy and a tragic incident. Condolences and respects to family and friends.

**nthaggard** · 17th March 2008, 23:03

I knew Mike only a year and a half or so. We taught a couple of OW classes together and he was always willing to share his experiences and knowledge with anyone that would listen. He inspired me to get involved in rebreather diving and I am really going to miss diving with him.

My prayers continue to go out to his family and friends as they face this challenging time.

Mike - Rest in peace brother

16th March 2008, 03:36	#1 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 1,927	Remembering Michael "Mike" Riopel On Saturday, March 15, 2008, my friend and colleague, Mike Riopel lost his life while on a CCR dive off of Pompano Beach, Florida. I first met Mike at the Rebreather World 2006 party. He also attended the party in 2007. We have exchanged email and PM's over time, always trying to find the chance to dive with one another. We had hoped to dive together during the Rebreather World Post DEMA 2007 Dive to the Hydro Atlantic, and this dive canceled due to poor weather. We finally had the chance to start diving together as Optima instructor candidates. Mike was a very thorough, dedicated and considerate diver and instructor, and we became good friends over the short time that we got to know each other better. During this time, we worked together between sessions, sharing information and experiences as we went over our hurdles on the way to becoming Optima instructors. Mike spent his last day with several of us on a Florida S.C.R.U.B. dive outing, a fun dive on the wreck of the Guy Harvey. Everyone was talking and sharing stories together on the boat before gearing up for the dive, and it was the first chance many in our group had to meet Mike. He got along well with everyone right from the start. Again due to Mike's dedication, he buddied up with a newly certified Optima diver to lend his experience while his buddy expanded his diving horizons on what I believe was his first wreck dive past his intitial training dives. Mike's last full dive was a great and enjoyable one. We will miss you, Mike. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com Last edited by sadave : 17th March 2008 at 22:08. Reason: fixing chronological order
(Online)

17th March 2008, 15:01	#2 (permalink)
Narcosis New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Crystal River, Fl Posts: 3	Remembering Michael "Mike" Riopel The class of people posting on this thead, is as high as people come. Thank you for that... I was notified sunday am of Michael Riopel's passing by his both his friends and family and along with evryone here, morning his loss. I had the privelage of teaching both his Divemaster course and IDC back in 04. Scuba diving has lost one of its amazing professional members, and many of us have lost a friend. When I am updated with service information, I'll be sure to let you know. Mike Winkles PADI Course Director Last edited by ScubaDadMiami : 17th March 2008 at 17:19. Reason: To put in chronological order and to move to Memorial Thread
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17th March 2008, 15:39	#3 (permalink)
JamesSterling New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Weeki Wachee Posts: 1	Re: Rebreather Diving Accident, Pompano, Florida The news of the accident is very saddening. I knew the diver personally and I know the diving community will miss him greatly. My respects to the family and friends. We went through our divemaster and Instructor course together with Mr. Winkles., and had some great memories. See ya in the eternal ocean. Last edited by ScubaDadMiami : 17th March 2008 at 17:20. Reason: To put in chronological order and to move to Memorial Thread
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17th March 2008, 16:36	#4 (permalink)
sfldiver Team Optima Diver Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 651	Re: Rebreather Diving Accident, Pompano, Florida I met Mike in person for the first time on the morning of Saturday, March 15th, the day that ultimately turned out to be his last dive trip. Prior to the boat’s departure and during the first half of our trip, myself and the other Florida S.C.R.U.B.’s divers onboard talked with him and shared some past diving experiences. When I surfaced from my second dive, I was very saddened to learn of his involvement in the tragic accident. However, I feel fortunate to have been blessed with the opportunity to meet and interact with Mike while we participated in the sport he apparently loved so much. I’m positive that I am a better person because of my interaction with him that day. My sincerest condolences go out to his family. __________________ *Currently piloting & shooting...* Dive Rite O2ptima FX Rigged w/ a Dsix Custom Aluminum Frame, Nomad Wing, Transpac Harness and VR3 Computer w/ VPM-B/E & a 4th Cell Sensor Link.* Canon PowerShot G9 Digital Camera Rigged in a Patima-PDCH 2008 G9 Aluminum Housing w/ an Inon UWL-100 Achromat Wide Conversion Lens, 2 Inon UCL-165M67 Close-Up Lenses and 2 Inon Z-240 Strobes. Last edited by ScubaDadMiami : 17th March 2008 at 17:21. Reason: To put in chronological order and move to Memorial thread.*
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17th March 2008, 17:12	#5 (permalink)
Dutchy SK#007 Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Nieuwegein (The Netherlands) Posts: 699	Re: Remembering Michael "Mike" Riopel My thoughts are with everyone that lost someone they admired or loved. RIP __________________ = This post is environmentally friendly. It is composed of 100% recycled electrons only. = SK #007
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17th March 2008, 18:14	#6 (permalink)
CharlieT Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Posts: 449	Re: Remembering Michael "Mike" Riopel I didn't know Mike but am sad to learn of this news. My condolences to his family and friends.
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17th March 2008, 19:11	#7 (permalink)
mempilot What is this..terrafirma? Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ft. Lauderdale Posts: 1,161	Re: Remembering Michael "Mike" Riopel Mike, I know you are following this this thread from where you are now, as your extended family joins in memory of your participation in our sport. I enjoyed our predive conversation about training, certifications, goals, aspirations, and rebreathers in general. I looked forward to future dives with you. My heartfelt condolences go to your wife and children, and wish them to know that Mike was with friends when he passed. You will be greatly missed. Eric __________________ MEM "Da Pilot" Black holes are where God divided by zero. "If at first you don't succeed, don't dive silent." "Would you mind not shooting at the thermo-nuclear weapons." ~ Vic Deakins "Donkey's kill more people annually than plane crashes."
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17th March 2008, 20:14	#8 (permalink)
Barrie Law RebreatherWorld Sponsor Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Ireland Posts: 726	Re: Remembering Michael "Mike" Riopel Deepest condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. Barrie
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17th March 2008, 21:06	#9 (permalink)
Doppler Cut along dotted line... Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Not Basingstoke... thank god Posts: 167	Re: Remembering Michael "Mike" Riopel Very sorry to hear this... a good guy and a tragic incident. Condolences and respects to family and friends.
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17th March 2008, 23:03	#10 (permalink)
nthaggard Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 28	Re: Remembering Michael "Mike" Riopel I knew Mike only a year and a half or so. We taught a couple of OW classes together and he was always willing to share his experiences and knowledge with anyone that would listen. He inspired me to get involved in rebreather diving and I am really going to miss diving with him. My prayers continue to go out to his family and friends as they face this challenging time. Mike - Rest in peace brother __________________ ______________________________________________ Neill "If you're gonna be stupid...you better be tough"
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