MARATHON, Florida (10 Dec 2003) -- A Texas man died after surfacing from scuba diving off Marathon on Monday, becoming 2003's seventh dive-related fatality in the Keys. Robert Johnson, 58, of Austin surfaced from a dive to about 30 feet, and fell unconscious before he could reach the dive boat Vitamin Sea. "Johnson grabbed a safety line extending from the back of the boat and was pulled in," related Deputy Becky Herrin, information officer for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. "As [Johnson] reached the boat, the captain said Johnson 'appeared to be lifeless.' " Cardiopulmonary efforts were started by the crew. The U.S. Coast Guard relayed the emergency call for help to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement boat that was near the scene. Johnson was transferred to the Customs boat, and lifesaving efforts continued until the federal boat reached an ambulance waiting at Capt. Hook's Marina on Vaca Cut. Johnson was pronounced dead at Fishermen's Hospital. An autopsy will be conducted to determine cause of death. One account described Johnson suffering heart-attack-like symptoms, but an air embolism, causing internal injuries when a diver surfaces, could create similar symptoms. | | Abyss Dive Center and Vitamin Sea dive boat The commercial dive boat from Abyss Dive Center was stopped at a reef site its staff calls Critter Ridge. Johnson reportedly was on an afternoon dive trip with his nephew and the nephew's wife. His is believed to be the sixth death that occurred in 2003 while the victim was scuba diving (one woman disappeared and is believed dead). One person died while free-diving. In 2002, there were four apparent scuba-related deaths and two deaths while snorkeling. SOURCE - Keynoter |
