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Rod Farb wrote:

> 
> In the past fifteen years, six divers have died diving the U-352. They 
> had loads of merit badges for diving and plenty of training in quarry 
> diving. A few were instructors and dive masters. Most were using a single 80 
> with no backup and embolised bolting to the surface after running out of air
> on the bottom. At least one body has never been recovered. In fact, the 
> U-352 has killed more people after WWII than it did during the war. And, 
> more divers have been killed diving the U-352 than any other NC wreck
including 
> the deep ones. It is also the most visited wreck site. Most of the dead were 
> divers from Ohio and all but two died in separate incidences. Running out of 
> air is the killer. It's an easy dive ...and it isn't. As one major dive 
> operator that runs to the sub noted, "we do everything but breathe for 
> them- and sometimes even that is not enough." Rod

Interesting info about the U-352. Particularly the part about most of the 
fatalities being from Ohio. It would seem to indicate that their
training/experience 
in a different environment did not prepare them for the dive.

That running out of air is the biggest cause of fatalities is also interesting.
I 
think the fact that conditions are so good there may contribute to that. If you 
plan to start your ascent at 1200 psi (assuming you don't run out of no-deco
time 
first) and the water is clear and warm and there is a lot to see, you can get 
tempted to stay a little longer and get into trouble quickly. That is much more 
of a temptation than penetrating the wreck.

Rich Pyle's comment about ANY dive below the point where a diver can make a
safe 
ascent on one breath is also excellent. I think that all divers should be
trained 
to use a pony bottle on dives below 50-60 feet. I certainly do myself, and I 
consider it a mandatory piece of safety equipment for dives in that range.

Rick

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