17 replies to this topic

[RichardB]

Diver Dies While Solo Scuba Diving
Monday Aug 30, 2004 @ 11:01
Submitted by Cliff Etzel

On August 24th, a Tallahassee man drowned while solo scuba diving at Ginnie Springs, Florida.

The diver, Brian Luke Tindale, age 24, is said to have arrived with his three friends at Ginnie Springs at approximately 8:30 p.m. Friday evening to set up camp, according to Gilchrist County Sheriff David Turner. According to official reports, two of the friends went paddling in a canoe while another snorkeled behind them, and Tindale went scuba diving.

Before disappearing, Tindale told his friends he had approximately 12 minutes of air left in his tank. At 2:30 a.m., after 20 minutes without any sign of Tindale, Tindale's friends called 911, Sheriff Turner stated.

Ginnie Springs recovery divers found Tindale in a cave at Devil's Ear Spring with his mouthpiece still in place. Tindale was a certified open-water diver, but he did not have cave-diving certification, Turner said.

"Alcohol may have been a factor based on witness reports," according to authorities.

Officials stated that it would take several weeks before toxicology results are available and the investigation is continuing.

[RichardB]

Condolences and prayers to family and friends.

[Walter]

Very sad, but an important lesson. Stay out of caves unless you are cave certified.

[Lubold8431]

Reports are saying that he had 500# left when he went into the cavern zone...

Just a plain stupid move.

[Marvel]

Stupid, yes but, my prayers go out to his family & friends- imaging the guit his friends must be feeling now.

[SquattingRadishDM]

A sad story, but one where the only person responsible was the diver concerned. I just hope people learn from this lesson.

Doesnt the entrance to the Ginnie Springs cave have a big warning sign saying that "Do not enter without Cave Diving training. People have died here and you could to....etc". I havnt been there but I remember it said so in Burny Chowdry's - The Last Dive.

-Jack

[RichardB]

A sad story, but one where the only person responsible was the diver concerned. I just hope people learn from this lesson.

Doesnt the entrance to the Ginnie Springs cave have a big warning sign saying that "Do not enter without Cave Diving training. People have died here and you could to....etc". I havnt been there but I remember it said so in Burny Chowdry's - The Last Dive.

-Jack

You sign a two page agreement explaining the dangers, you watch a video explaining the dangers, you are personally counseled by staff there explaining the dangers, there is a large sign at Devils Ear, Eye and Little Devil spring parking area saying "People have Died Here" AND there are signs at the entrance to the caves past the cavern area (at about 45 feet) telling you stay out if you are not trained and equipped. Additionally, no lights are allowed except by certified cave divers in that area (if you can't see you won't go in).

And still........

But again, condolences to family and friends.

[JulioJoglar]

Very sad, but an important lesson. Stay out of caves unless you are cave certified.

Ditto that.

[TheSassyRabbit]

Oi! Very sad. :dltears:

[Trymixdiver]

For the locals who know that cave i pose a question

Is it posted, or written that solo diving is not allowed in the cave ? I would have to beleive it is a rule.

Sad story yes but:

1. He may have been drinking
2. he was diving solo in a cave
3. He was not certified to dive in caves
4. He went in a cave with tanks that barely had air in them
5. improper gear for cave diving

Sad but stupid, sorry to be so harsh but this is the way i see it.

Of course we dont have all the facts and hopefully there is a better reason.

Andy

[JulioJoglar]

Yup...too many mistakes and a lot of lessons to learn.

[Diverbrian]

Unfortunately, on this one I am with Trymix Diver. There are too many lessons. Any of the issues listed were potentially fatal. Nobody that I know of goes into a cave with twelve minutes of air left, much less solo.

I feel for his friends and family.

Oh, and sometimes the cave divers will go solo. Check how Chris and Chrissy Rouse checked the cave in their area. But they were trained and experienced cave divers with proper gear and all of the necessary redundancies.

[Seawitch]

Another unnecessary and preventable death.

My condolences to the family.

SW

[BradfordNC]

A sad story, but one where the only person responsible was the diver concerned. I just hope people learn from this lesson.

Doesnt the entrance to the Ginnie Springs cave have a big warning sign saying that "Do not enter without Cave Diving training. People have died here and you could to....etc". I havnt been there but I remember it said so in Burny Chowdry's - The Last Dive.

-Jack

yes, but the sign can't check C-cards, or push idiots back out of the cave.

[Laura]

How very sad :dltears:

When I dove Ginnie Springs with Walter in May, we witnessed something dangerous and stupid. A snorkler dove down to the cavern entrance, about 15 feet under, and one of the divers let him take a big breath from his octopus. The snorkler proceeded to swim quickly the surface, holding his breath the entire time. !! It is a wonder the guy didn't blow a lung.

The irony is that the diver should have known better, but it's the snorkler who could have paid the price for his error.