Near-drowning whilst kitting up.
Incident Date
2004-02-05
Incident Description
The diver (party of 3) was wedged at water level into the the entrance shaft of this cave whilst kitting up. He was not wearing a mask nor light his drysuit feed was not connected and his cylinders were turned off. The diver lost his position and slipped down the pothole into the chamber below (3m depth). The shocked diver had to turn a regulator on connect his drysuit feed and follow daylight half blind back to the surface.
Lessons Learned
Always kit up in a safe position not necessarily the most convenient for entry. Inflate bouyancy if there is any danger of entering deep water prematurely. A contributory factor was the diver\\s desire to be in the water first.
| Factors |
|
| Line Management |
Negligible |
| Gas Management |
Negligible |
| Equipment Management |
Major |
| Equipment Failure |
Negligible |
| Training |
Negligible |
| Medical |
Negligible |
| Planning |
Negligible |
| Procedural Error |
Major |
| Cave Environment |
Minor |
| Weather |
Negligible |
| Other Factor |
|
