The man, aged 53 and from near Exeter, first completed a mid-morning shore dive from Brixham’s Breakwater Beach. A local witness reported seeing three divers in the water.
According to Brixham Coastguard, it was when the diver re-entered the sea to retrieve a fellow diver’s weightbelt that he lost consciousness.
The casualty was brought ashore where, within four minutes, two qualified ambulance first responders from Berry Head Coastguard Rescue Team arrived to administer first CPR, including the use of a defibrillator and oxygen.
They were assisted by a doctor and paramedic who happened to be nearby, aboard Torbay RNLI all-weather and inshore lifeboats on exercise.
The diver was airlifted to Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital by Devon Air Ambulance. Initially, the Coastguard’s information was that the casualty was “stable”. However, his condition deteriorated and he died in the evening.
The local coroner and the Health and Safety Executive were informed of his death.