In relation to an accident report filed by Haukur Thor Thorvardarson in Flekkuvik in Iceland, the board of the Recreational Dive Club of Iceland has gone over this matter with the other divers present and would like to make the following statements: 1. The Recreational Dive Club of Iceland promotes safety in the Icelandic dive community and takes all dive accidents seriously and tries to learn from such incidents. 2. The Recreational Dive Club of Iceland (Sportkafarafélag Íslands) is a small association of divers in Iceland, and is not a commercial dive center. Its activity is mainly in the area of recreational diving which are both informal (weekly) dive events where divers meet and “go diving” and then the association organizes formal dive events to areas that require more organization in terms of dive planning and logistics. These formal events and advertised specially and people register for such events through a dive leader. In the informal dive events divers dive with their buddy and are fully responsible for the planning of the dive (with their buddy). The dive sites for the informal dive events are well known to divers and each diver assesses the dive conditions with regard to his or her dive skills. As a general rule novices are assisted by more experienced divers as needed and it may be fair to say that in a rather informal way dive seniority is applied, and more experienced divers take the lead in the buddy system planning. 3. Mr. Thorvardarson came to this dive event with his personal gear but he was only partially prepared. Some of the dive equipment was not properly set up (e.g. the harness). 4. With regard to the dry glove system, Mr. Thorvardarson was helped by one of the senior diver in the group in assembling and applying the dry glove system. Not all divers use the dry glove system in Iceland and it is optional gear for the cold environment. There were other divers using the dry glove system for the first time and they did not have any problems. Mr. Thorvardarson received instruction on how to use the dry glove system the day before the dive. 5. With regard to the dive site and its ease of entry. Mr. Thorvardarson presented himself as a dive instructor with both PADI and SSI credentials and with over 500 logged dives. He was therefore not perceived as a novice. It was assumed that a diver with such a vast experience would be able to judge the dive site independently through personal observation on location, discussions with dive partners and just by asking the right questions. Many inexperienced divers have been taken to this dive site without any problems. The dive site is accessed by gravel road followed by a trail and 4x4 vehicles are preferred, but not necessary. From vehicles divers have to walk with the gear on for about 15 meters over rough terrain (lava field). 6. Mr. Thorvardarson was assisted by a qualified (PADI) side mount diver (not a dive guide since no dive guides are in such dive events) in setting up his gear. The side mount system that Mr. Thorvardarson was using was not properly set up and he was advised not to continue with the dive since his gear was not ready for such a dive. Mr. Thorvardarson decided to continue with the dive. 7. Mr. Thorvardason was briefed about the dive on his way to the dive site. One may always argue how detailed and formal such briefing should be, but the person who briefed Mr. Thorvardarson may have been misled by his presentation of his diving skills and experience, thus influencing the briefing procedure. 8. At the access point Mr. Thorvardarson should have seen the other divers entering the water, since he was the last person to enter. Mr. Thorvardarson was advised on how to enter and was told to be careful and check depth. 9. When the accident occurred Mr. Thorvardarson was assisted by the divers in the water, his side mount cylinders were removed, his BCD and his suit was fully inflated and out of the water. Mr. Thorvardarson was checked by the divers and the situation was assessed. Mr. Thorvardarson was assisted to the car and helped out of his gear (BCD and dry suit). He was offered to be taken to the emergency room but he declined. One may argue if this was the right decision, and if Mr. Thorvardarson was in any mental state to make such a call. Diving in Iceland is never easy and most dive sites require high level of alertness. The Recreational Dive Club of Iceland sincerely regrets this incident and hopes Mr. Thorvardarson recovers quickly. On behalf of the Recreational Dive Club of Iceland, Haukur Einarsson
Posted on: Thu, 18 Jul 2013 10:48:49 +0000
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