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Student dies while diving in underwater cave

Published: Sunday, March 7, 2010

Updated: Sunday, March 14, 2010 15:03

A UCF student has died after going missing during a dive Friday night, News Channel 13 is reporting.

Joseph Kelly, a business student, was diving with two friends in an underwater cave near Chassahowitzka River Campground in Homosassa, Fla. when he disappeared around 9 p.m.

A dive team from the Citrus County Sheriff's Office located his body some time later.

The cause of death has not been determined.

 

 

 

Check back at UCFNews.com for more information as it becomes available.

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2 comments

Michael
Sun Mar 7 2010 23:32
Other news agencies are reporting that the diver was free diving, ie, with a snorkel, without any sort of underwater breathing apparatus.

Cave diving is an extreme sport with many rules for survival. Cave divers are taught not to enter a cave without a certain amount of gas, usually 71.2 cubic feet, and to turn to exit after using no more than 1/3 of their gas supply. Furthermore, they use guidelines and carry a minimum of three lights. Unfortunately, free diving does not usually allow for or follow these rules, making free diving in a cave much more dangerous than "real" cave diving with scuba equipment.

This death is incredibly tragic, even more so because it was easily preventable. Anyone interested in cave diving safety or with questions about how to be safe diving in the springs and rivers of Florida, which often have caves, should come to a KnightDiver's meeting. The Scuba Dive Club at UCF exists to help students enjoy our underwater world safely, to prevent accidents such as this from ending a student's life much too soon.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all involved in this terrible accident, may you rest in peace Joe!

Anonymous
Sun Mar 7 2010 17:23
RIP...Joe!






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