Scuba Geek

Second out-of-town scuba diver this month dies in Broward November 29, 2005

Posted by Andy Carroll in : Accidents , trackback

A 64-year-old Virginia man out diving with friends died on Monday after he started having trouble breathing in the water, officials said.

His is the second death of an out-of-town diver in Broward County this month. A New Hampshire man was found dead in scuba gear in the waters off Fort Lauderdale two weeks ago.

The Broward Medical Examiners Office is investigating the cause of death. The cause may be heart related, Pompano Beach spokesman Sandra King said.

The man had been diving with a group of people off the Hillsboro Inlet near Pompano Beach, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office.

The trip was on the commercial dive boat operated by a company called Scuba Time, according to a BSO news release. Six people were onboard, including the Virginia man and the captain. No additional information was available about the company late Monday.

The man finished his first dive, but complained about trouble breathing afterward, BSO stated.

The other divers got him back into the boat, BSO stated. They delivered CPR while heading back to shore.

King said the initial call for help came at 12:23 p.m. and was only for breathing problems. While on the way, Pompano Beach Fire Rescue learned CPR was being done, King said.

Firefighters met the divers at 2695 N. Riverside Dr. at 12:28 p.m. They treated the man while taking him to North Broward Medical Center in Pompano Beach.