Posted by on March 18, 2005 at 06:41:57:
A 50-year-old man was rescued Thursday by the Coast Guard after he became unconscious during a dive near Anacapa Island, officials said.
Clark Ballard was in stable condition Thursday evening at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo.
According to Coast Guard officials in Los Angeles, Ballard surfaced unconscious after a 20-minute, 55-foot-deep dive about 11 a.m.
Ballard regained consciousness but was having difficulty breathing and talking. Others on board the diving vessel Peace used oxygen to help him breath.
Two Coast Guard boats from Station Channel Islands Harbor were sent to help, and a helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles flew Ballard to land.
The Ventura County Fire Department also responded.
Ballard was visiting the area and is not a resident of Ventura County, said officials.