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Jim- I think the BIG difference here is that this was a commercial dive. I believe OSHA requires a chamber on board for deep dives, plus other red tape. None of this was done as far as I am aware. There were also issues with a lack of an inwater support diver or anyone with wetsuit/fins on the surface ready (I believe JT mentioned he jumped in clothed to get the floating body, perhaps he can shed more light on this) or other safety protocol. I am not sure of the issues that would bring the US Navy into it. While everyone responds to stress differently, Fantone didn't make things any better. Whether it was a mild heart attack that he could have been revived from or a trainwreck heart attack, the rocket ascent made any and all attempts to revive him futile (check the coroner's report). Perhaps a contigency plan should have been in place for any and all scenarios and discussed, instead of "just diving" the work plans. While you and JT may point out that I wasn't there and be accurate, I have heard from individuals who were there who don't paint a pretty picture. Furthermore, there is video (topside and u/w - not of the accident itself, however) out there that illustrates many of these points plus others that I am sure will become part of the administrative record. I am not a fan of lawyers or litigation either, but this was a mess... mike >From: Jim Cobb <cobber@ci*.co*> >Reply-To: vbtech@ci*.co* >To: Tech Diver <techdiver@aquanaut.com>, vbtech@ci*.co* >Subject: Juno Death >Date: 10 Jul 1999 09:04:21 -0400 > >Tai Wilkerson's wife has decided to sue for his death. She will be using >a lawyer who frequently advertises his services on these lists. Using the >standard shotgun technique favored by lawfirms of this grade, the suit >includes the US Navy, the Coast Guard, Quicksilver International (or >whats left of it), Mike Hillier and Mike Fantone for something Tai did, >as far as I know, on his own free will. > >Personally I think the lawyer is dropping the ball here. He should also >be suing the Gov. of Spain and the descendants of the Capt. of the Juno, >for ultimately it was their fault the whole thing happened. And if Spain >really does find treasures on the "Juno" you could sue for a slice of the >pie and then retire on your own island in the bahamas (which, of course, >is the dream of every ambulance chasing lawyer). One of the defendants I >know hardly has two coins to rub together and surely the real target is >the training agency he is affiliated with. > >While I feel for Mrs. Wilkerson, perhaps she should have insisted that >her husband quit the dangerous sport of decompression diving, or at least >get a medical checkup to see if he was fit and able to deal with the >stress, which apparently (from the medical examiner's report) he was not. > >And all you divers out there owe it to your families to have >comprehensive life insurance policies to cover your families (if you have >one) in the event of your death. > >I think it really sucks when a diver dies. In some situations people >should pay. In other situations the money grubbing is really sickening. >Suing the Navy and Coast Guard, just how far does this idiot lawfirm >think they are going to get with that? Now one tragedy is going to be >compounded by several more. And the only thing which will be accomplished >is the lining of the pockets of a bunch of money-grubbing shyster >lawyers. This sport is not fun anymore. > > Jim > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- > Learn About Trimix at http://www.cisatlantic.com/trimix/trimix.html > > > ><< Send subscribe/unsubscribe/help requests to >VBTech-request@ci*.co* >> > _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com -- Send mail for the `techdiver' mailing list to `techdiver@aquanaut.com'. Send subscribe/unsubscribe requests to `techdiver-request@aquanaut.com'.
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