Abalone Diver Deaths, 2 of 7 from Kelp in 2008

Front page of the Press Democrat today.  "Santa Rosa news paper"

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080929/NEWS/809290304/1349?Title=Kelp_makes_diving_deadlier

The kelp was crazy this year.  I think I'd almost rather deal with a bit of swell when abalone diving than try and navigate my way through a thick forest of bull kelp.  That stuff scares me.  I'm surprised that only 2 of the 71 deaths since 87 have been attributed to kelp (both this year).

71 people have died abalone diving since 1987!?

71 people have died abalone diving since 1987!?

According to the article posted. 

That's a little over 3 a year.  Given how many have died in the past couple years, I'm almost surprised it isn't more.

71 people have died abalone diving since 1987!?

According to the article posted. 

That's a little over 3 a year.  Given how many have died in the past couple years, I'm almost surprised it isn't more.

Me too. It is amazing how many go to the edge, see fantastically terrible conditions, and STILL go in the water.

71 people have died abalone diving since 1987!?

The majority are deaths "associated" with Abalone diving, not actually diving or drowning.  The one I read about the most is heart attack.

Me too. It is amazing how many go to the edge, see fantastically terrible conditions, and STILL go in the water.

I've seen it too,  you must have respect for the Ocean.

 

The kelp is not as dense during high tide. Just something to keep in mind.

I'm with Tote on that one. I'd rather dive during a high tide than deal with the mess at low tide.

Freddie

Yeah, five extra feet isn't a big deal if you've got longblades.

Every freediver on the North coast should know that bull kelp can generally be broken by hand by bending the stipe at a right angle or more.  If the stipe is doubled over on itself (like a kinked hose) it almost always breaks.

Not to say that these unfortunate guys didn't know that, and there can be many other complications, but solely relying on a knife is not the only answer. 

When I was a newbie, my instructor would have me repeatedly break bull kelp by hand.  If you haven't tried it, I recommend doing so.

Bull kelp is particularly brittle near the top.

Kelp does not bother me as much as unseen monofilament , got a feeling 30 lb. test would be unbreakable by a diver . Think a knife strapped to a divers arm might be a lifesaving idea , easier to get to than on ones calf or weight belt .

I have to agree that unseen fishing line scares the hell out of me as well.....Esp the new "super lines".

I can't help but wonder if the increased kelp this year can be correlated to a drop in urchin numbers?

Throw me a bone here as I have not been able to get in the water since May to make any of my own observations.

I can't help but wonder if the increased kelp this year can be correlated to a drop in urchin numbers?

I can speak for the urchin populations I have seen Ab diving this year in the Gualala and Fort Bragg areas - the urchins are doing fine - matter of fact in the Fort Bragg area they are incredibly robust and abundant.

Gualala is well stocked, too. In addition to lots of kelp and plenty of urchins, the muscles beds are doing better than I remember since I was kid - more of them and larger specimens.

Those are my observations - cyclical, weather or mother nature doing her thing 'cause she can, I dunno - any 'ologists want to chime in?

I noticed the improvement in the mussel beds myself while up north in Humboldt Co last month.  My low tide observations showed a seriously healthy population up there.................I was seeing mussels exposed at low tide that were 3/4 the size of my sz 13 feet.

With the kelp issue and the way the tides fall for the rest of the season it looks like I am going to have to stick to rock-picking for the rest of the season.

I am a seriously new diver and don't intend to push my luck.

D