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DEMA has urged divers receive additional advanced training for shipwreck diving
SAN DIEGO, California -- DEMA is deeply saddened by the recent diver deaths on the former Spiegel Grove, an artificial reef sunk off the coast of Key Largo in 2002. This tragic incident is an unusual occurrence. Certified divers receive excellent training during their certification course from professional instructors, and diving has an admirable safety record. In order to prevent such incidents, DEMA strongly recommends that all certified divers receive additional advanced and specialty training and certification from qualified diving professionals if they choose to enter shipwrecks or any other special diving environment. Fortunately, this type of training is readily available through many professional dive centers in the US and worldwide.
Before being placed on the bottom of the ocean, the Spiegel Grove artificial reef was specially prepared so that divers could safely swim in the upper regions and at depths ranging to 60 feet. Beyond 60 feet divers must be specially trained, with 100 feet being the maximum recommended depth for sport divers trained at the advanced level. Penetration of the Spiegel Grove, especially in water deeper than 60 feet, requires special training and equipment.
The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) recommends that all persons who wish to dive in open water or in a special diving environment contact a local professional dive center and receive instruction from a professional diving instructor.
DEMA, the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association, is an international organization dedicated to the promotion and growth of the recreational scuba diving and snorkeling industry. For more information on DEMA, visit www.dema.org.
Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of UnderwaterTimes.com, its staff or its advertisers.
Reader Comments
10 people have commented so far.An individual can hold all sorts of qualifications, and unfortunately a few dive certification agencies really do not enforce the requirements, being slaves to the almighty Dollar. Does it really strike anyone else as strange that many of these so-called 'expert' and 'experienced' individuals with thousands of dives under their belts are the same ones taking unnecessary risks at depth and ending up on the obituaries ? Self awareness, restraint, and maturity are important stepping stones to a long diving life. Unfortunately, we see too many people becoming complacent in this sport.
comment# 1 - Cesar Alvarez · Va. Beach, VA. · Mar 18, 2007 @ 6:41pm
That area of the ship is off limited for a good reason! I have dove the Spiegel many times and have never even thought about going into that area.That section of the ship was chained off at one time and should be sealed and the hatched welded shut. Going into that area without reels and a plan to get out was VERY foolish. Most diver understand the limited dive times at that depth, and not should. Basic open water education. Education, equipment, planning and experience. The way it looks these guys should have known better. Accidents happen, but I feel this one could have been avoided. Education and practice, repeat, repeat, education and practice, repeat. Again our sport got a black eye. My deepest condolence to the families of these guys. It's time we all step up and look around at the divers around us and protect each other and stop these kind of things from happening. Lets be safe and have a good time.
comment# 2 - Tony · Clearwater FL USA · Mar 19, 2007 @ 9:23am
This is not the time to say "what if or they should have" this is the time to give are condolences to the families. This is the time to pray for the people that loss their loved ones! Weather it be a diving accident or some other kind of accident. My prayers & thoughts are with all the families at this time of mooring.
comment# 3 - Bob · Jefferson Hills, PA USA · Mar 19, 2007 @ 10:33am
We cannot save people from themselves - as wrecks become older they will rust apart, and there is no way to seal them off, nor should we. This is simply natural selection - or darwinism. These 3 divers made a series of stupid, careless mistakes, and paid for them with their lives. God Bless the Rescue divers who went in and retrieved the bodies for their families. Shame on any individual who now wants to "dumb-down" the sport for the divers who dive properly according to their training. Life has risks. There is much evidence to suggest that these guys had advance training which they "forgot". Use this lesson to stay green, dive withing your training and within your limits. And don't be afraid to buy, use, and practice with a cave reel; or hell just a ball of string....
comment# 4 - David · Clearwater FL · Mar 20, 2007 @ 1:20pm
They paid for their collective error. There's only one way to dive a deep penetration in a wreck - on your own! That way you control the environment (silt), the planning & equipment (gas and reels), and when you want to end the dive you are not faced with the clutter of other bodies in a very confined space. I pray for their families.
comment# 5 - Nigel · Ireland · Mar 20, 2007 @ 4:23pm
What the heck is DEMA doing passing judgement on these divers by issuing a "Press Release". This is just DEMA's way of trying to get their name in the news on this. Shame on them.
comment# 6 - MIke · US · Mar 21, 2007 @ 8:23pm
This should serve as a reminder to us all that diving can be an amazing and wonderful experience but it is still a sport that requires planning, use of the eduation provided in training and a constant respect for the rules and potential danger it brings. God bless the families of these men and let this be a saving grace reminder to us all.
comment# 7 - Debbie Ash · Washington, IL USA · Mar 24, 2007 @ 3:56pm
I dove the Spiegel three days prior to this incident and it is shamful that this had to happen. I have read the stories about this and my deepest regrets go to the families. One thing I would like to stress to readers is that we will probably never know what really happened down there and the media taking a stab at the Dive Industry interprets whatever they want and make not only the divers sound amatuer but they make the sport sound bad as well. The Media has taken their own version of the story and made it worst. Anything could have happened down there and we will never know. I have heard as well that they have closed the dive site. Does anyone know if this is true?
comment# 8 - Ryan Harrell · Fort Lauderdale Florida · Mar 25, 2007 @ 5:04pm
I dont buy it ! Safe sport ? Lets get real here , Who inteligently thinks going into a hazardous deadly environment with a plastic regulator in their mouth is a "Safe Sport"? How many "highly experienced" divers are lost while claiming "safe sport"? Who thinks the few reports of death on the SG are the only ones happening with THOUSANDS of inexperienced tourist divers diving it in those ever changing conditions every year? I stopped counting at 1000 dives and am heavy into this sport but dont try to tell me diving is a "safe sport" . I think those thinking the SG is a safe dive should contact Monroe Sheriff dept. and see if they can get info on the SG deaths never released to the press. Who thinks the obit column is the TOTAL fatalities for a day in a city of millions ? In Miami alone there are over 400 funeral homes doing a good business weekly . Look at the obit column ! You do the math ! I dont buy it !
comment# 9 - Randy · Ft Lauderdale , fl · Mar 27, 2007 @ 4:23am
Penetration of the Spiegel Grove, especially in water deeper than 60 feet, requires special training and equipment. ________ Kim builders
comment# 10 - builders · us,Philadelphia · Jun 27, 2011 @ 11:19pm