Holidaying American Don Roesler, described as an experienced diver with some 600 dives logged, surfaced to find that his companions were also on the surface but about half a mile away. They did not see him or hear his alarm device, as he was downwind.
The pair raised the alarm and some twelve craft set out to look for Roesler - but they dispatched to the wrong areas. A helicopter hired by his wife came close but failed to spot his waved orange SMB, in choppy water and rain.
In the end Roesler was fortunate to be able to save himself. Night had fallen and, at about 8pm, he spotted lights on an island. He was drifting close enough to be able to make land by finning. Landing on a rocky shore, he was spotted and helped from the sea.
Roesler was suffering from dehydration (despite drinking rainwater caught in his mask) but, wearing a good suit and gloves, had managed to stay warm. The experience clearly didn't put him off - he was back diving two days later! |
