Diving Accident: Norwegian drowns in Malapascua Island

[OceanBreezeInn]

A NORWEGIAN national died while diving in the waters of Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan town, north Cebu on the morning of Christmas eve.

An unconscious Isaksen Knut Aksel, 45, was found floating by his Canadian diving instructor Tim Latimer at 11:30 a.m.

Aksel dove alone when two of his male friends, Xavier and Nicola left him and Latimer to buy food in the island.

Latimer, who was in a shallow part of the island, said from where he was standing, he noticed Aksel floating face down in the Monad shoal diving spot, and called for help.

The rescuers and Latimer in two pumpboats tried but failed to revive Aksel. They brought Aksel to the beach and then to the Daanbantayan District Hospital but he died on the way there.

Dr. Nicomedes Jabel said the casue of death was drowning.

PO1 Ramil Claro of the Daanbantayan police said Aksel arrived and rented a room at the Dutch Philippine Diving Shop and Beach Resort on Dec. 11. He was supposed to leave on Jan. 1 next year.

Police said they were investigating the incident.

Source: Inquirer


There are more details at this Norwegian website:

According to the website the accident was caused due to wrong oxygen bottles ... The victim mixed up the bottles with 100 % and 50 % oxygen. He was breathing too high oxygen concentration and had convulsions and respiratory arrest as a result.


The victim stayed at Malapascua Island Dive & Beach Resort. They also published a statement at their website.

It`s a sad tragedy, but a reminder that diving safety should always have priority.. Someone told me they even paint their tanks for different mixtures to avoid accidents like this one...

[Rhoody]

Well, there are plenty of open questions?

The tanks need to be marked very clear and also checked by the diver. The filling of the stage tanks is most of the time done by the diver or supervised.

During this process the tank will be Marked and analyzed. Also a Logbook has to be filled in.

This whole accident is a pretty sad story and I assume the real story will be never published. This might be also better.

My condolence to the family and friends of the diver.

Hope some learn for the future.