Experienced divers reminded to heed basic safety

By: Alexia Russell | New Zealand News | Wednesday May 9 2012 9:07

Experienced divers are being reminded not to overlook basic safety requirements, in a coroner's report on a man who drowned in spite of a 45 year history of diving.

Garry Weeds died while scuba diving for crayfish near Moturoa Island off the Karikari Peninsula in the Far North three years ago.

Coroner Brandt Shortland has found Mr Weeds failed to equalise and experienced barotrauma, due to the direct effects of pressure change.

A later investigation found his equipment was in poor condition, although it was functional and didn't lead to his death.

The coroner says before the dive neither Mr Weeds nor the friend he was diving with, checked each other's equipment.

There were other shortcomings on the trip, including the divers overlooking some basic safe practices such as remaining together during the ascent and descent.

Photo: Stockxchng

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