SEATTLE, Washington (23 Mar 2009) — A scuba diving accident killed a woman who panicked after running out of air. Authorities told CDNN that Jauna Marian Gilnett, 42, of Eagle Creek, Oregon was scuba diving in Hood Canal with Portland resident, Brian Southard,44, yesterday afternoon near Sund Rock. As the pair ascended to the surface, Gilnett signaled that she was out of air. Apparently she panicked and although she did reach the surface, she was unable to establish positive buoyancy by ditching her weight belt and/or manually inflating her BC (buoyancy compensator). Southard told the sheriff's office investigators that he tried to hang on to Gilnet but lost hold of her in high waves. Other divers responding to a call for help found the victim at a depth of about six meters. Gilnet was rushed to Mason General Hospital and later transfered to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle where she died earlier today. Gilnett, who started scuba diving in November last year, worked at Providence Portland Medical Center. Friends said she was a warm, caring person who enjoyed many outdoor recreational activities including hiking, camping and skiing. | 
