CALOUNDRA, Australia (3 Nov 2008) — A young man died while diving off Caloundra, north of Brisbane. Authorities told CDNN that Jason Palmer, 21, apparently drowned while free-diving and spearfishing at a depth of about 20 meters. Police divers found the victim's body near the site where he was diving with a friend. Officials speculated that Palmer, an experienced diver, may have died from shallow water blackout, the leading cause of fatal free-diving accidents. Friends said Palmer was an enthusiastic and popular student at the University of Sunshine Coast, where he was majoring in science. Peter Duncan, who lectures on applied aquatic ecology at the university, said Palmer "followed the more natural, fundamental sciences – marine biology, aquatics (and) blended his science with his lifestyle." "Jason was constantly seeking practical applications of his science," Peter said. | 
