The cause of the accident is so far unknown, though a local trainer of diving instructors said it was "likely to relate to the equipment" given that all eleven divers were affected.
Russian Diver Death Due To “Health And Safety Breakdown”: Fellow Diver
By Judith Evans in Malé
May 28, 2008
A diver present at last week’s diving accident in the Maldives, which led to the death of 36-year-old Russian tourist Roman Kudarov and injured nine others, has said “a complete systemic breakdown in health and safety procedures” led to the tragedy.
Citing the air poisoning which apparently caused the accident, a lack of first aid knowledge on the part of boat crew, and an “unusable” oxygen cylinder, the diver – himself an experienced divemaster – has called for an overhaul of safety measures in Maldives to ensure further accidents are prevented.
But spokespeople for police and Touring Maldives, owner of the Baani Adventurer safari boat from which the accident occurred, said they could not comment on any such failures until the ongoing investigation is complete.
Faulty Air Supply
The accident occurred on the morning of May 22 as tourists from the Baani Adventurer vessel dived on the Raydhigaa Thila reef. Initial reports from the tourism ministry said 11 were injured, but fellow divers say the total was ten.
Tourists from Australia, Germany, Denmark, Russia and New Zealand were affected. One was Kudarov, who died at the scene.
“This could so easily have been a six or seven death incident,” says the diver, who performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Kudarov.
He believes the accident was caused by a long-term air supply problem, possibly relating to carbon monoxide contamination, which had not been addressed – constituting “criminal negligence”.
Following the accident, which is now under investigation by police, it became clear none of the boat crew were trained in emergency procedures, whilst the single bottle of oxygen available on the dive dhoni was “unusable”.
The Accident
Several of the tourists and one dive guide had experienced headaches in preceding days. The dive guide on May 21 requested a filter change on the compressors used to fill the air tanks for diving, but it appears problems then worsened.
After the diver’s companion felt ill during the May 22 dive, he surfaced to find most of the group semi-conscious or unconscious.
The two dive guides were incapacitated, and according to the diver, “none of the topside crew on either boat appeared to have any training whatsoever in the provision of oxygen or emergency first aid”.
A spokesman for Touring Maldives said the crew were trained, but “panicked” and did not carry out correct procedures. In the event, the four unaffected tourists were left to assist the others and try to revive Kudarov.
The single bottle of oxygen available on the dive dhoni did not function, though there was a functioning bottle on the main boat, according to the diver. And crew initially attempted the 4 to 5 hour journey to the capital, Malé, before doctors from a local resort were called.
“At no point was I advised that there was a doctor at Rangali Resort, and that the resort was quite close by. This factored into my decision to stop CPR [on Kudarov], as it appeared that the nearest medical aid was over 2 hours away,” says the diver.
Rangali staff arrived about an hour after the accident, and were able to provide medical help and transport. But by this time, Roman Kudarov had died.
Contamination
It appears the accident was due to contaminated air from one of the boat’s two compressors, though the exact cause has not yet been confirmed.
But a traveller who toured on sister boat the Baani Explorer in January and February wrote on dive forum ScubaBoard, “We had maintenance problems with the compressor on the dhoni that necessitated trips...to Malé to secure repairs.”
The traveller added: “Of sixteen people, outside of the crew, on board… nine [suffered] symptoms [such as] nausea, diarrhoea, headache and upset stomach...The [dive] dhoni tied up to the side of the Baani that exhausted the fumes from the generator…an extremely dangerous configuration for carbon monoxide gases...you could see and smell the exhaust rising from the back of the boat. A recommended CO2 detector is missing from the Baani.”
Meanwhile a Maldivian dive instructor of over ten years’ experience confirms “no one” uses the recommended carbon monoxide filters, instead opting for a cheaper model which does not filter engine gases.
Health And Safety
Regulations on diving safety were introduced in the Maldives in 2003, and a fine of up to Rf1 million (US $78,431) can be levied on any tourist establishment failing to match up to relevant standards set by government.
Licences, which are issued for five years, may also be suspended, and inspections are carried out on renewal of a licence, says the tourism ministry.
The ministry “tries our level best” to inspect resorts and safari boats each year, says executive director at the Tourism Ministry Mohamed Waheed.
But whilst diving accidents are rare in the Maldives, there is no overall regulatory body for diving safety and no enforcement of a diving certification standard, though individual dive centres may choose to register with organisations such as PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors).
Industry insiders say inspections are rarely carried out. “It’s up to the ethics of the individual dive companies,” says one. “But regulations should be enforced by law.”
Divers who accompanied Kudarov say they hope the police investigation will lead not just to a thorough examination of the causes of his death, but to an overhaul in measures to ensure diver safety.
“Let’s just hope we can get things changed for the better. At least then Roman will not have died in vain,” the diver says.
Built in year 2006, refurbished in 2008
Size — 30m x 8.5m
Top speed — 11 knots
Cruising speed — 10 knots
386 HP Daewoo engine
2 x 35 KVa Onan generators
2 x Bauer dive tank compressors
12 litre aluminium scuba tanks with international and DIN valve fittings
10 and 15 litre tanks available for rent
Electricity 220V — 24 hours per day
Water capacity — 8,000 litres
Fresh water maker — 6,000 litres per day
Fuel capacity — 5,400 litres
safety support features...
15m 85 HP dive tender
Life raft
2 x 25 HP Yamaha motorised dinghies
Radio - GMS 900, Mini M satellite unit, Inmarsat system
Global positioning system
Radar
Sounder
Plotter
Searchlight and loudhailer
Mobile and satellite telephones
3 Fire detectors, and extinguishers throughout
Emergency oxygen - 3,600 litres
Emergency signalling device
Life jackets in all communal areas and on dhoni
DAN diving insurance can be purchased on board - valid for 21 days.
Meanwhile a Maldivian dive instructor of over ten years’ experience confirms “no one” uses the recommended carbon monoxide filters, instead opting for a cheaper model which does not filter engine gases.
god~~~
既然潜店设备官方每年都要检查一次，而且潜店年审执照的时候也要强制检查部分关键设备，怎么会出现这样的呼吸气体事故呢？
The cause of the accident is so far unknown, though a local trainer of diving instructors said it was "likely to relate to the equipment" given that all eleven divers were affected.
一死，11伤，上来的人也进减压仓，不知道是什么原因造成这么严重的事故，关注
死因出来了：一氧化碳中毒！
Russian Diver Death Due To “Health And Safety Breakdown”: Fellow Diver
By Judith Evans in Malé
May 28, 2008
A diver present at last week’s diving accident in the Maldives, which led to the death of 36-year-old Russian tourist Roman Kudarov and injured nine others, has said “a complete systemic breakdown in health and safety procedures” led to the tragedy.
Citing the air poisoning which apparently caused the accident, a lack of first aid knowledge on the part of boat crew, and an “unusable” oxygen cylinder, the diver – himself an experienced divemaster – has called for an overhaul of safety measures in Maldives to ensure further accidents are prevented.
But spokespeople for police and Touring Maldives, owner of the Baani Adventurer safari boat from which the accident occurred, said they could not comment on any such failures until the ongoing investigation is complete.
Faulty Air Supply
The accident occurred on the morning of May 22 as tourists from the Baani Adventurer vessel dived on the Raydhigaa Thila reef. Initial reports from the tourism ministry said 11 were injured, but fellow divers say the total was ten.
Tourists from Australia, Germany, Denmark, Russia and New Zealand were affected. One was Kudarov, who died at the scene.
“This could so easily have been a six or seven death incident,” says the diver, who performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on Kudarov.
He believes the accident was caused by a long-term air supply problem, possibly relating to carbon monoxide contamination, which had not been addressed – constituting “criminal negligence”.
Following the accident, which is now under investigation by police, it became clear none of the boat crew were trained in emergency procedures, whilst the single bottle of oxygen available on the dive dhoni was “unusable”.
The Accident
Several of the tourists and one dive guide had experienced headaches in preceding days. The dive guide on May 21 requested a filter change on the compressors used to fill the air tanks for diving, but it appears problems then worsened.
After the diver’s companion felt ill during the May 22 dive, he surfaced to find most of the group semi-conscious or unconscious.
The two dive guides were incapacitated, and according to the diver, “none of the topside crew on either boat appeared to have any training whatsoever in the provision of oxygen or emergency first aid”.
A spokesman for Touring Maldives said the crew were trained, but “panicked” and did not carry out correct procedures. In the event, the four unaffected tourists were left to assist the others and try to revive Kudarov.
The single bottle of oxygen available on the dive dhoni did not function, though there was a functioning bottle on the main boat, according to the diver. And crew initially attempted the 4 to 5 hour journey to the capital, Malé, before doctors from a local resort were called.
“At no point was I advised that there was a doctor at Rangali Resort, and that the resort was quite close by. This factored into my decision to stop CPR [on Kudarov], as it appeared that the nearest medical aid was over 2 hours away,” says the diver.
Rangali staff arrived about an hour after the accident, and were able to provide medical help and transport. But by this time, Roman Kudarov had died.
Contamination
It appears the accident was due to contaminated air from one of the boat’s two compressors, though the exact cause has not yet been confirmed.
But a traveller who toured on sister boat the Baani Explorer in January and February wrote on dive forum ScubaBoard, “We had maintenance problems with the compressor on the dhoni that necessitated trips...to Malé to secure repairs.”
The traveller added: “Of sixteen people, outside of the crew, on board… nine [suffered] symptoms [such as] nausea, diarrhoea, headache and upset stomach...The [dive] dhoni tied up to the side of the Baani that exhausted the fumes from the generator…an extremely dangerous configuration for carbon monoxide gases...you could see and smell the exhaust rising from the back of the boat. A recommended CO2 detector is missing from the Baani.”
Meanwhile a Maldivian dive instructor of over ten years’ experience confirms “no one” uses the recommended carbon monoxide filters, instead opting for a cheaper model which does not filter engine gases.
Health And Safety
Regulations on diving safety were introduced in the Maldives in 2003, and a fine of up to Rf1 million (US $78,431) can be levied on any tourist establishment failing to match up to relevant standards set by government.
Licences, which are issued for five years, may also be suspended, and inspections are carried out on renewal of a licence, says the tourism ministry.
The ministry “tries our level best” to inspect resorts and safari boats each year, says executive director at the Tourism Ministry Mohamed Waheed.
But whilst diving accidents are rare in the Maldives, there is no overall regulatory body for diving safety and no enforcement of a diving certification standard, though individual dive centres may choose to register with organisations such as PADI (the Professional Association of Diving Instructors).
Industry insiders say inspections are rarely carried out. “It’s up to the ethics of the individual dive companies,” says one. “But regulations should be enforced by law.”
Divers who accompanied Kudarov say they hope the police investigation will lead not just to a thorough examination of the causes of his death, but to an overhaul in measures to ensure diver safety.
“Let’s just hope we can get things changed for the better. At least then Roman will not have died in vain,” the diver says.
原因是安全措施的系统性缺失：
1。因为成本，没有用一氧化碳过滤器
2。船员竟然都不懂得急救知识，不会做CPR。出了事故没想着先找岛上医生，而是想着开4，5 个小时船回马累。
3。多尼船上唯一救命的氧气瓶竟然是坏的
4。设备维护修理不及时，二氧化碳探测器也没以用
5。潜水员自己的安全意识也是一个方面的问题，前面连续几天已经集体出现不适症状，就应该停止潜水，查找原因了。
查了一下，这艘船还是2006年建好，2008年才重新粉刷过的新船。属于马尔代夫潜水船中最便宜的Low Budget那一个档次的。
Built in year 2006, refurbished in 2008
Size — 30m x 8.5m
Top speed — 11 knots
Cruising speed — 10 knots
386 HP Daewoo engine
2 x 35 KVa Onan generators
2 x Bauer dive tank compressors
12 litre aluminium scuba tanks with international and DIN valve fittings
10 and 15 litre tanks available for rent
Electricity 220V — 24 hours per day
Water capacity — 8,000 litres
Fresh water maker — 6,000 litres per day
Fuel capacity — 5,400 litres
safety support features...
15m 85 HP dive tender
Life raft
2 x 25 HP Yamaha motorised dinghies
Radio - GMS 900, Mini M satellite unit, Inmarsat system
Global positioning system
Radar
Sounder
Plotter
Searchlight and loudhailer
Mobile and satellite telephones
3 Fire detectors, and extinguishers throughout
Emergency oxygen - 3,600 litres
Emergency signalling device
Life jackets in all communal areas and on dhoni
DAN diving insurance can be purchased on board - valid for 21 days.
Meanwhile a Maldivian dive instructor of over ten years’ experience confirms “no one” uses the recommended carbon monoxide filters, instead opting for a cheaper model which does not filter engine gases.
看来不用一氧化碳过滤器是马尔代夫潜水行业的通病了。。。
那凤凰组织我们去公主号吧！坚决拥护！
如果上天给我一个机会让我刮吃饭发票中3万大洋的话，我一定现在就报名，如果中了体彩票，我包下公主号啊王子号啊什么号的请大家去。。。。。