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Diver Killed by Lightening

kitty1234 (2280) ranked 644 out of 32,936 in life

5 years ago

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. - Lightning struck a diver's oxygen tank as he surfaced off Florida's Atlantic coast, killing him, authorities said

The 36-year-old man was diving with three others Sunday off a boat near Deerfield Beach, about 40 miles north of Miami. He had surfaced about 30 feet from the boat when lightning struck his tank, said Deerfield Beach Fire Chief Gary Fernaays.

The other divers struggled to get the man back into the boat and radioed for help, Fernaays said. The victim, whose name was not immediately released, was rushed to the beach, where a rescue crew gave him CPR. He was later pronounced dead at North Broward Medical Center in Pompano Beach.

A severe thunderstorm warning had been in effect Sunday for Broward County.

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suspenseful (19606) response was accepted on 7/26/2007.

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diver, lightening, lightening kills diver, lightning

suspenseful (19606) ranked 1,680 out of 32,936 in life

5 years ago

I wonder why no one had thought of the possibility of lightening strikes. I suppose having a protective pad between the man's body and the tank or making the tank of a hard plastic rather than metal could be considered. I suppose this was one of those weird things that no one expected to happen. I do not want to say about this man not checking to see whether it was safe enough to dive. I suppose he figured that the sea seemed calm enough, unless he was the type who believed the more dangerous the better. Unfortunately for him it was not. Anyway I hope someone invents a lightening proof oxygen tank.

kitty1234 (2280) ranked 644 out of 32,936 in life	5 years ago
It would make sense, but it looks like no one ever thought of this happening. Thanks for your response.

Vladilyich (1068)

5 years ago

A couple of problems with that idea. Plastic won't hack it because a full 72-cubic-foot tank is under over 2,500 pounds pressure. Plastic won't hold that.

There is insulation between the tank and the diver. Backpacks are normally made of plastic. Lightning can be over 1-million volts, which will jump a 4" gap like it isn't there (it made it all the way down from the clouds, didn't it?).

By the way, a diver's tanks are not oxygen tanks...they contain standard compressed air.

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Feona1962 (3333) ranked 456 out of 32,936 in life

5 years ago

My husband and I were talking about this..You would have thought the boat would have been hit because it was bigger. What are the odds that something like this would happen?...It is very sad that it did though.

kitty1234 (2280) ranked 644 out of 32,936 in life	5 years ago
Definately not something you read about everyday...It is very strange how many things can and will happen. Thanks for our response.

Dive Newsletter 1975 Ad-free, non-profit consumer newsletter for divers since 1975. www.undercurrent.org

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