Reports

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January 5, 2001 - Emerald Sink, Wakulla County, FL

RescueOrRecoveryOrNearMiss    = Recovery
DateofReport                  = 05/07/01
TimeOfAccident                = approx 1608 EST
DateOfAccident                = 05/05/01
County/State/Country          = Wakulla
a_NameOfAccidentSite          = Emerald Sink
DateRecoveryStarted           = 05/05/01
TimeRecoveryStarted           = 1655
AgeOfVictim                   = 23
SexOfVictim                   = Male
VictimsHighestCertLevel       = Divemaster
CertAgency                    = PADI
DateOfTraining                = 1997
YrsExperienceDiving           = 4
TotalNumberOfDives            = 246
NumberOfDivesThisYear         = unknown
TrainedInCaveDiving           = No
CaveDivingTrainingAgency      =
DateOfCaveDivingTraining      =
YearsExperienceCaveDiving     =
TotalNumberOfCaveDives        =
NumberOfCaveDivesInLastYear   =
NumberOfDivesAtThisLocation   = 1
DatesOfDivesAtThisLocation    = 05/05/01
MaximumDepthAtLocation        = 220
DivePartnersName              =
a_DivePartnersAddress         =
a_DivePartnersExperience      =
a_OriginalDivePlan            = Group was to check out cave to a max depth of 160.
Group stated they were in an area that is approx 300-400 feet inside cave when they decided to turn their lights off and see how dark it would become.  When light where turned back on, victims dive partner saw light in front of him and thought that was the victim.  When the group reached the basin they realized that victim was missing and returned to 130' to look for him.
MaximumKnownDepth             = 160
WaterTemp                     = 68 F
DepthBodyFound                = 160
DistanceToNearestExit         = approx 1000
DescriptionOfSiltInArea       = moderate
NormalVizDistance             = 40
VizDuringRecovery             = 30
a_WeatherConditionsAtTimeOfAccident = clear and comfortable
a_EntryConditionsAtSite       = steep sided sink hole with broken steps
WetOrDrySuit                  = wet suit 6mm one piece 6mm shorty
FullOrShorty                  = both
ConditionOfSuit               = good
Hood                          = yes
Gloves                        = yes 2mm
Booties                       = yes, standard
WeightBelt                    = no, weight intergrated BC
PoundsKilosOfWeight           = handled by police
BuoyancyCompensator           = Sherwood
BCType                        = back inflation bungie wing
DegreeOfBCInflation           = partially full
Mask                          = purge with side windows
LocationOfMask                = on face
ContentsOfMask                = air
Fins                          = unknown
TypeOfFins                    = standard
TapedFins                     = no
Snorkel                       = no
Knife                         = unknown
LocationOfKnife               = unkown
NumberOfTanks                 = 1
SizeOfTanks                   = 100
TankMaterial                  = steel
TankPosition                  = back
FillPressureAtStartOfDive     = 2800
PressureAtRecovery            = 0
TankValveConfiguration        = yoke
PositionOfIsolationValve      =
NumberOfRegulators            = 1
BrandOfRegulators             = Sherwood, but borrowed Oceanic second since his primary second was leaking
Octopus                       = yes, Sherwood
LongHose                      = no
RegsFunctionalAtScene         = yes
GeneralConditionOfRegulators  = good
StatusOfValveOpening          = open
PressureGauge                 = Sherwood
PSIReadingOnGauge             = 0
NumberOfLights                = 3
TypeOfLights                  = King Pelican, Princeton Tec head light, backup light
LightsOperational             = assumed batteries dead, worked, worked
LocationOfLights              = clipped and foating, on head, clipped in pocker
NumberOfReels                 = 0
TypeOfReels                   =
ReelsDeployed                 =
LocationOfReels               =
DistanceFromGuideline         = lying in top of line
GuidelineCondition            = good
DepthGaugeType                = Sherwood
VictimsDepthGaugeReading      = 160
Slate                         = no
Tables                        = not found
NumberOfComputers             = 0
TypeOfComputers               =
a_ComputerData                =
a_AddtionalDescriptionOfEquipment =
EquipmentLoaned               = Only primary second was borrowed
LoanedFromWho                 = unkown friend in group
OverallConditionOfEquipment   = good
a_BodyState                   = Lying in left lateral recumbant position with left arm hooked around line.  Head was facing toward the exit.  Body was lying on the floor.
ReportPreparedBy              = Scott Hunsucker
RecoveryTeamMembers           = Chris Werner, Duane Liptak Jr., Nanci LeVake, Todd Leonard.  Numbers and addresses unavailable
OfficerInCharge               = Lt. Daniel Dailey, Wakulla County Sheriff's Office