Ab diving death at Van Damme

RIP

http://www.mercurynews.com/california/ci_30013942/northern-california-man-dies-diving-abalone-off-mendocino

 

RIP.

Sorry to hear, it can happen at anytime to anyone.

If using the buddy system - one up, one down many issues can be dealt with when you have help watching you.

69 years old.
Waiting to get more information.
Although the buddy system is the preferred method for safety by many, it still won't take care of all situations if your partner runs into problems.
A lot of old guys (like me) have heart attacks when abalone diving. I'm not too sure how well a buddy could help out in that situation as rarely is the dive from a boat which probably offers the best chance; and let's be honest, how well prepared is anyone to handle that situation in those conditions?
RIP fellow diver.

Who said he was solo?

Mendocino County Sheriff's Lt. Shannon Barney says Hagedorn was diving in the ocean at Van Damme State Park for about 15 minutes on June 7 when one of his companions noticed him struggling and yelling for help.

I don't see 69 as geriatric these days. If someone is otherwise healthy, I say have it. Staying active is the best way to stay young. Granted, it's best to go with a partner because of the stresses of diving in cold water but the same can be said for someone half this guy's age.

If you have a known medical condition, then sure, you'd be taking unnecessary risks but if you feel fine and get regular check-ups that come out clean, then keep it shakin' . . . so to speak.

Yeah 69 ain't geriatric.  Now we just need a viagra pill for ab divers.  Not joking.  There must be something that can help folks keep it down without having a heart attack.

69 is soon to be the age of the OG fellas on this site.
Not sure geriatric is the word I would use for an outdoorsman who is diving in shark infested waters for food.

RIP sir.


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keep reading about deaths with ab divers is not a welcome sign for me who is learning the sport. Not sure if it over confident in oneself or health issues.

keep reading about deaths with ab divers is not a welcome sign for me who is learning the sport. Not sure if it over confident in oneself or health issues.

It is inherently dangerous, and you need to be very aware of the fact that you can die each dive day and on each drop. That awareness may be the very thing that helps you make the decision that saves your life.  Then again it's better to die of a heart attack in the water than from cancer in bed.

<snipped> Then again it's better to die of a heart attack in the water than from cancer in bed.

I believe this would be my preference.

I second that.... Go out doing something you love.


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My pappy's 78, still gainfully employed, but i git concerned when he walks solo around block, forget about diving for snalez. 

Mine just turned 80 two weeks ago and still fishes & hunts the birds. Don't think he'd want to dive at this point but 10 years ago, no problem.
Of course, he also lived through a 30 ft fall onto concrete in a burning building so dying isn't one of his strong points.

keep reading about deaths with ab divers is not a welcome sign for me who is learning the sport. Not sure if it over confident in oneself or health issues.

Like rock climbing or triathlon, ab diving can be very dangerous or very safe.  You can make the decision to ab dive in 10 feet of water on perfectly flat days.  Your choice. 

And if your cardiac fitness is marginal, swimming is something you should ease into.  It is probably as stressful as diving, if not more . . . .

keep reading about deaths with ab divers is not a welcome sign for me who is learning the sport. Not sure if it over confident in oneself or health issues.

Like rock climbing or triathlon, ab diving can be very dangerous or very safe.  You can make the decision to ab dive in 10 feet of water on perfectly flat days.  Your choice. 

And if your cardiac fitness is marginal, swimming is something you should ease into.  It is probably as stressful as diving, if not more . . . .

a few months ago i saw a video about a diver who has been diving for 10 years and never had any problems and then 1 day he blackout and luckily his friend was there to save him. I'm beginning to wonder if i should even get into the sport. my parents are always telling me to be very careful because they know and heard of people drowning. I told them i don't dive and just rock picking. I know a few of you said its better to rip doing something you love but isn't family more important?

What he said . . . whatever it is he said. 

If you dig it, do it. You're not that old. If diving is just "meh" to you, stick to what you do well already.