CHANNEL ISLANDS, California (17 August 2007) -- A man died while scuba diving off the Channel Islands. Robert Rydgig, 77, of Ventura, was scuba diving off Anacapa Island when he was found unconscious at about 2:20pm. The dive boat rushed the victim back to Venture Harbor as a Coast Guard rescue diver performed CPR. Rydgig never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead when the dive boat reached shore. According to senior deputy Ventura County medical examiner, Craig Stevens, the victim had a history of heart ailments and died from a heart attack. Scuba diving and pre-existing medical conditions It is not clear to what extent stress factors unique to the use of underwater life support equipment (SCUBA) affect pre-existing medical conditions such as heart disease and obesity. Cyber Diver recommends that all certified and uncertified divers including tourists involved in "Discover Scuba" resort courses pass a physical examination within six months of diving. | 
