Posted by Eric Sedletzky on November 18, 2000 at 22:16:43:
I went scuba diving at gerstle with Larry today and we witnessed the rescue of a SWB victim.
Apparently an ab diver was found unconscious in a South Gerstle Cove kelp forest by another ab diver who just happened to be passing by. The victim was found tangled up in the kelp about ten feet down with no mask on and still wearing his weight belt...?
The finding diver instantly dove down and pulled the victim to surface then began screaming for help. State rescue lifeguards were up on the bluff and raced to the scene.
When the victim was brought to the surface by the other ab diver he began sputtering and coughing out water. He miraculously regained consciousness on his own. A group of kayakers, that we spoke to later, said that he was as white as a ghost when they saw him. State Park Rescuers called for air transport but the victim refused treatment. We're still unclear wether or not the diver had a buddy or was solo.
Larry and I were tank diving a considerable distance off shore, so there was nothing we could do but watch.
The victim diver had no recollection of the accident, and nobody knows how long he had been down prior to being rescued.