UK (2 June 2007) -- An archaeologist who introduced her husband and teenage son to diving has told a UK court inquest how she watched them die on a holiday in Gozo. Richard Avent, 58, and son Rhydian, 16, from Raglan in Monmouthshire, drowned during a dive last August in Gozo. Recording an accidental death verdict, coroner David Bowen said the tragedy could not have been foreseen. Mr Avent's wife, Sian Rees said it seemed they did not exhale while they ascended, causing their lungs to burst. Her husband – a chief inspector of ancient monuments with Cadw – had taken up an interest in diving and had trained in Croatia with their son, Rhydian. They went to Gozo on a diving holiday last August when they joined a group led by an instructor from a diving centre. They completed three dives without any problems, but on the fourth, Rhydian and Mr Avent got into trouble. They had been told that the most interesting things to see were below a depth of 20 metres but that because of their relative inexperience, Mr Avent and his son would have to remain above that depth. An experienced diver, Dr Rees offered to stay with them but they told her to go with the rest of the group. She told the hearing that Mr Avent and Rhydian had given the OK signal three times during the dive. But then when she looked back, she saw them ascending and realised they were in trouble. Once she reached them, she said they were descending again. Rhydian's breathing regulator was no longer in his mouth. After managing to get Rhydian to the surface, she tried to resuscitate him but there was red foam coming from his mouth and she realised he was dead. The diving supervisor had attempted to revive Mr Avent with no success. It was possible he had switched off his air supply without realising when he got into the water or he may have become tangled with his father. She thought it unlikely the hose had been snagged on rocks. Asked by the coroner whether her husband and son had been competent divers, she said you could only tell if someone was really competent by their reaction when something went wrong. "The tragedy that has befallen my family is indescribable and is all the more terrible in that it was avoidable," said Dr Rees. | | Dr. Sian Rees told the inquest she believes PADI should review its safety guidance and consider introducing a probationary period for young or inexperienced divers. "I will have to live for the rest of my life with a perception of culpability in that I was present and will always feel that there must have been something I could have done to prevent this happening." She also told the inquest she believes the Professional Association of Diving Instructors should review its safety guidance and consider introducing a probationary period for young or inexperienced divers. The association has issued a statement offering its condolences and says that it does all it can to minimise risks, diving will never be completely safe. Following the deaths in 2006, a post-mortem examination concluded that the pair died from barotrauma – pressure difference between lungs and the outside atmosphere – and drowning. At the time, First Minister Rhodri Morgan paid tribute to Mr Avent's "massive contribution" to the protection and conservation of Wales's historic sites and buildings. SCUBA FORUMDISCUSS THIS TOPIC - Dive in and have your say at Scuba ForumCDNN Related NewsUK - Funeral for father and son who died scuba divingMALTA - Tributes paid to castles expert who died scuba diving in MaltaMALTA - Husband and son die scuba diving as wife looks on in horror |
