Oriskany Accident

hchoat · 20th August 2007, 15:46

I was on another vessel, and I saw them getting in the water as we were recovering the last of our group from their second dive. H2O Below (the vessel they were on) was 20-30' off our starboard bow. I took note of it only because I saw 2 guys drop in on Optimas. I put 2 and 2 together later on when I heard what had happened. So, in reality, other than what I am hearing from some friends who are captains, I don't know much more than anyone else.

Some things to bear in mind when diving the Oriskany: there really is no CG helo stationed in Pensacola. Mobile (50 miles to our west) has a CG helo training facility. The closest CG SAR helo that I am aware of is New Orleans (roughly a 3 hour drive to our west). There may be something over near Panama City (2 hours east) but I am not sure. What about the Navy, lots of people ask... well... NAS Whiting Field (just outside Pensacola) is a Navy helo training base. They have a pile of student pilots, and usually no weekend ops anyway. Regardless, none of these birds are equipped as SAR helo's and I don't think are capable of carrying more than 2-3 people anyway. I was present at many of the pre-sinking meetings. One of the huge topics of discussion was how to handle the inevitable diving accidents. SOP is to bring the injured diver in to the station via boat, then transfer to ambulance or life flight for transport to the hospital. H2O Below is similar to a Newton - probably about a 46 footer. She is capable of making only about 20 knots. It's a long trip. Depending on where the CG boat was, I'm not surprised that they were only able to rendezvous outside the pass. On Saturday morning there were at least a dozen boats moored on the island of the Oriskany- several of them carrying large parties. It is tricky to even leave the area due to the sheer number of divers in the water and popping up all over hell and creation. I can only describe the scene as " a zoo". Be aware- all these things come into play when accidents happen.

tibby · 20th August 2007, 16:48

A thought came to mind after reading the article, did the Optima diver cut the dive short considering H2O Below still had divers in the water when the victim surfaced? If the Optima and the OC divers started the dive at about the same time (assumption) then a serious DCS hit on CCR would be unlikely right? Sorry, I don't mean to start a what if thread, just didn't make sense from the article.
Tibby

hchoat · 20th August 2007, 16:56

Quote: (Originally Posted by tibby)

A thought came to mind after reading the article, did the Optima diver cut the dive short considering H2O Below still had divers in the water when the victim surfaced? If the Optima and the OC divers started the dive at about the same time (assumption) then a serious DCS hit on CCR would be unlikely right? Sorry, I don't mean to start a what if thread, just didn't make sense from the article.
Tibby

Please bear in mind that the Pensacola News Journal (like most media outlets) is notoriously WRONG when they publish anything diving related......

tibby · 20th August 2007, 17:15

Quote: (Originally Posted by hchoat)

Please bear in mind that the Pensacola News Journal (like most media outlets) is notoriously WRONG when they publish anything diving related......

You are right, I'll shut up and wait for the real story.
Tibby

***sadave*** · 20th August 2007, 17:29

Quote: (Originally Posted by hchoat)

Please bear in mind that the Pensacola News Journal (like most media outlets) is notoriously WRONG when they publish anything diving related......

What Heather said, and please read up a few posts for what I have already said...

The facts WILL come out sooner rather than later. I'm sure in this case. in the meantime, please just hang back, and wait for some solid information.

Lilou6 · 20th August 2007, 18:07

Condolences to the family also.

Lilian

human · 20th August 2007, 23:43

A plug for the diver, I personally knew him. He was an avid diver and good person, who dove frequently of the Carolina's coast. He was a member of this board, but never posted on the board. He did post on TDS. Diving accidents are always a sorrowful thing to hear about, but it make you think more when you know them.

tibby · 21st August 2007, 00:00

Quote: (Originally Posted by human)

A plug for the diver, I personally knew him. He was an avid diver and good person, who dove frequently of the Carolina's coast. He was a member of this board, but never posted on the board. He did post on TDS. Diving accidents are always a sorrowful thing to hear about, but it make you think more when you know them.

Sorry about your buddy man!
Tibby

MrClive · 21st August 2007, 02:12

very sad news, condolances to his family and friends.

RebreatherNut · 21st August 2007, 03:19

Sad, sad, sad.
My condolences to family and friends.

RBN

20th August 2007, 15:46	#11 (permalink)
hchoat Resident Selkie Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL- USA Posts: 227	Re: Oriskany Accident I was on another vessel, and I saw them getting in the water as we were recovering the last of our group from their second dive. H2O Below (the vessel they were on) was 20-30' off our starboard bow. I took note of it only because I saw 2 guys drop in on Optimas. I put 2 and 2 together later on when I heard what had happened. So, in reality, other than what I am hearing from some friends who are captains, I don't know much more than anyone else. Some things to bear in mind when diving the Oriskany: there really is no CG helo stationed in Pensacola. Mobile (50 miles to our west) has a CG helo training facility. The closest CG SAR helo that I am aware of is New Orleans (roughly a 3 hour drive to our west). There may be something over near Panama City (2 hours east) but I am not sure. What about the Navy, lots of people ask... well... NAS Whiting Field (just outside Pensacola) is a Navy helo training base. They have a pile of student pilots, and usually no weekend ops anyway. Regardless, none of these birds are equipped as SAR helo's and I don't think are capable of carrying more than 2-3 people anyway. I was present at many of the pre-sinking meetings. One of the huge topics of discussion was how to handle the inevitable diving accidents. SOP is to bring the injured diver in to the station via boat, then transfer to ambulance or life flight for transport to the hospital. H2O Below is similar to a Newton - probably about a 46 footer. She is capable of making only about 20 knots. It's a long trip. Depending on where the CG boat was, I'm not surprised that they were only able to rendezvous outside the pass. On Saturday morning there were at least a dozen boats moored on the island of the Oriskany- several of them carrying large parties. It is tricky to even leave the area due to the sheer number of divers in the water and popping up all over hell and creation. I can only describe the scene as " a zoo". Be aware- all these things come into play when accidents happen. __________________ Duct tape is like the force... it has a light side and dark side, and it holds the universe together.
(Online)

20th August 2007, 16:48	#12 (permalink)
tibby untitled Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 342	Re: Oriskany Accident A thought came to mind after reading the article, did the Optima diver cut the dive short considering H2O Below still had divers in the water when the victim surfaced? If the Optima and the OC divers started the dive at about the same time (assumption) then a serious DCS hit on CCR would be unlikely right? Sorry, I don't mean to start a what if thread, just didn't make sense from the article. Tibby
(Offline)

20th August 2007, 16:56	#13 (permalink)
hchoat Resident Selkie Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pensacola, FL- USA Posts: 227	Re: Oriskany Accident Quote: (Originally Posted by tibby) A thought came to mind after reading the article, did the Optima diver cut the dive short considering H2O Below still had divers in the water when the victim surfaced? If the Optima and the OC divers started the dive at about the same time (assumption) then a serious DCS hit on CCR would be unlikely right? Sorry, I don't mean to start a what if thread, just didn't make sense from the article. Tibby Please bear in mind that the Pensacola News Journal (like most media outlets) is notoriously WRONG when they publish anything diving related...... __________________ Duct tape is like the force... it has a light side and dark side, and it holds the universe together.
(Online)

20th August 2007, 17:15	#14 (permalink)
tibby untitled Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 342	Re: Oriskany Accident Quote: (Originally Posted by hchoat) Please bear in mind that the Pensacola News Journal (like most media outlets) is notoriously WRONG when they publish anything diving related...... You are right, I'll shut up and wait for the real story. Tibby
(Offline)

20th August 2007, 17:29	#15 (permalink)
*sadave* Couldn't be bothered... Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Classic Kiss Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Brisbane, Queensland Posts: 1,052	Re: Oriskany Accident Quote: (Originally Posted by hchoat) Please bear in mind that the Pensacola News Journal (like most media outlets) is notoriously WRONG when they publish anything diving related...... What Heather said, and please read up a few posts for what I have already said... The facts WILL come out sooner rather than later. I'm sure in this case. in the meantime, please just hang back, and wait for some solid information. __________________ Wave!
(Offline)

20th August 2007, 18:07	#16 (permalink)
Lilou6 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South of the france Posts: 47	Re: Oriskany Accident Condolences to the family also. Lilian
(Offline)

20th August 2007, 23:43	#17 (permalink)
human New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NC Posts: 35	Re: Oriskany Accident A plug for the diver, I personally knew him. He was an avid diver and good person, who dove frequently of the Carolina's coast. He was a member of this board, but never posted on the board. He did post on TDS. Diving accidents are always a sorrowful thing to hear about, but it make you think more when you know them.
(Offline)

21st August 2007, 00:00	#18 (permalink)
tibby untitled Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2007 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 342	Re: Oriskany Accident Quote: (Originally Posted by human) A plug for the diver, I personally knew him. He was an avid diver and good person, who dove frequently of the Carolina's coast. He was a member of this board, but never posted on the board. He did post on TDS. Diving accidents are always a sorrowful thing to hear about, but it make you think more when you know them. Sorry about your buddy man! Tibby
(Offline)

21st August 2007, 02:12	#19 (permalink)
MrClive Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: cork city ireland Posts: 169	Re: Oriskany Accident very sad news, condolances to his family and friends. __________________ clive
(Offline)

21st August 2007, 03:19	#20 (permalink)
RebreatherNut Rebreather World Greeter Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Ray Other Rebreather/s: Ray Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 698	Re: Oriskany Accident Sad, sad, sad. My condolences to family and friends. RBN __________________ "One minute to go, Luck-meister! Then I'll be down on you like a buzzard on a gut wagon." - ALF
(Offline)

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