VENICE, Florida (14 June 2008) — A local resident who tried to save two divers said he is still in shock after witnessing the scuba diving accident. David Flom, who moved to Venice, Florida from Russia nearly two decades ago said that his experience as a lifeguard told him not to go in the water on Saturday, May 24. Flom said the waves were too big to safely enjoy watersports so he and his son decided to play volleyball on the beach. Then they heard the faint scream of a child coming from the ocean. "The beach was pretty empty," Flom told reporters. "When I heard the screaming, it really surprised me." Using his years of experience as a lifeguard, Flom plunged into the towering waves and swam about 75 meters but instead of finding a child, he found two scuba divers, one conscious and one unconscious. Lifeguards and rescue divers train to safe one diver in trouble; Flom had to pull two to shore through heavy surf. On shore, Flom ordered bystanders to call 911 for help as he initiated CPR on Clifford J. Ellis. The other diver, Elizabeth Indriso, told Flom she was OK and urged him to safe Ellis. "I asked the woman (Indriso) if she was alright, but she told me to just save him (Ellis)," Flom said. Paramedics arrived within a few minutes and took over CPR as they rushed the scuba diving accident victim to hospital. Ellis was taken to Venice Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead. Police divers pay their respects The victim, Clifford J. Ellis, was the director of the Michigan State Police dive program. Police dive team members paid tribute to the man who "wrote the book" on police search and recovery diving. "To CJ's family I am sorry for your loss. CJ was a great guy and he had a big heart. He taught the Troopers under him how to be better men and professionals. We went on many dives together and he taught me many things but most importantly how to be a good man. God bless you Sgt." Rich Torongeau"C. J. set the standard for us on the MSP Dive Team. When I took over the team some of the guys that he trained were still on and they always told me that "C.J. would have done it this way". So that was the way we did it. He will be greatly missed by members of the team because he helped write the book on how we operated." Bill Estlack"CJ was my supervisor when I joined the Department as a young Trooper. I also served on the dive squad for two years under CJ's supervision. He was one of the finest men I ever worked with and I will always have fond memories of him. God Bless CJ." B. Paul Gahide"When I joined the dive team in 1991 I received some used gear bearing the initials \"CJ\". I soon learned that he was a legend, but also a man who made positive impacts not only on diving, but on everyone he had contact with. He was a blessing; may God rest his soul." Sgt. Rod Hankamp | 
