GRAND CAYMAN ISLAND (23 Oct 2006) -- A Coroner's Jury was asked to decide the cause of death of a man who died during a scuba–diving trip last year. After hearing evidence from a dive instructor and a pathologist, the jury's verdict was that Bruce Ullman, 69, had died of natural causes. A post mortem examination showed that Mr. Ullman had an enlarged heart. He died on 2 January 2005 after coming to Cayman aboard the cruise ship Rotterdam and going on a two–tank dive with Don Foster's Dive. Queen's Coroner Margaret Ramsay–Hale conducted the inquest last week Tuesday. Dive instructor Adam Slobodian gave evidence in person. He said the boat captain, Gabriel Poirier, gave the standard briefing about safety and marine park rules. He and another crew member talked with guests about their diving history to find out how comfortable they were in the water. He said they knew that cruise ship guests might dive only once a year or every two years. Or they might not be active for 11 months until they go on vacation. The coroner asked if the cruise ship divers would be out of shape. Mr. Slobodian replied, "Out of practice." He said Mr. Ullman informed the crew that he had been a certified scuba instructor since 1982 or '83. Dive gear generally weighs about 45 pounds, so divers are asked to check their buoyancy when they get in the water but before they start their dive. Sometimes they needed to strap on lead weights. Mr. Ullman needed no weights. The divers left from a platform at the back of the boat, swam to a mooring line at the front of the boat and started their dive there. They were in two groups, about ten each. Mr. Slobodian stayed on the boat to make sure everybody made it under water. He noticed that Mr Ullman had come back up. He asked for more weight. Instead of making him swim to the back of the boat, Mr. Slobodian said he told him to hang onto the mooring line. He grabbed a lead weight and jumped into the water to give it to Mr. Ullman. In the time it took him to grab the weight and swim to Mr. Ullman, the diver had got one of his air hoses tangled around the mooring line. The witness said he tried to untangle it, but needed Mr. Ullman to take off his buoyancy compensation vest in order to do so. He asked him to keep one hand on the mooring line and one on the vest; this was to ensure buoyancy. Mr. Ullman started breathing more rapidly. When Mr. Slobodian got the hose untangled he asked Mr. Ullman to put the vest back on. Mr. Ullman was having some difficulty and didn't seem to be listening when asked questions. The witness said he took this as a sign to check if Mr. Ullman was okay. He asked if he wanted to continue the dive and the older man said no. Mr. Slobodian said they would make their way to the back of the boat, where Mr. Ullman would be helped from the water. Mr. Ullman pushed off his vest and started swimming. He was still wearing his mask, fins and – Mr. Slobodian found out later – his weight belt. He was able to move through the water faster than Mr. Slobodian, who was holding the dive gear. He yelled to Gabriel to keep his eye on Mr. Ullman and help him when he got to the ladder. By the time Mr. Slobodian got to the back of the boat, Gabriel yelled that Mr. Ullman had gone under the surface. | | A Coroner's Jury in the Cayman Islands reached the verdict that a Bruce Ullman, a certified scuba diving instructor diving with Don Foster's Dive, died from natural causes on January 2, 2005. Someone threw Mr. Slobodian a mask and he tried to freedive to get Mr. Ullman, but he was unable to. As he came up, Gabriel already had his gear on and was getting ready to jump in. He dove to get Mr. Ullman while Mr. Slobodian hopped on board to get the emergency oxygen kit and other equipment he thought might be needed. When Gabriel came up with Mr. Ullman, they lifted him on board and began first aid. Divers still in the water had to be recalled. The Port Authority and the dive shop were called, Mr. Slobodian related. First aid and CPR continued while divers boarded and on the way to shore, where paramedics took over. Gabriel Poirier, the boat captain, is now working in the US, so the coroner read his statement. He said Mr. Ullman had 12 pounds of weight on his belt and about five minutes into the dive asked for more. When Mr. Poirer found him he was on the sea floor at a depth of 91 feet. Four persons helped administer CPR. Government pathologist Dr. John Heidingsfelder explained the autopsy report prepared by the pathologist who did the post mortem examination. He said the exam showed that Mr. Ullman's heart was enlarged on both the left and right sides. He said an important negative was the absence of foam in the mouth or airways. This negative was against drowning as a cause of death. An important positive was the presence of fluid between the lungs and the chest wall, which is called pleural effusion. This fluid is not caused by drowning; it requires hours to days to take place. It was most likely due to the enlarged heart, which was most likely due to high blood pressure. The physical cause of death was essential hypertension with congestive heart failure. SOURCE - Caymanian CompassSCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba Forum |
