Posted by . on May 20, 2004 at 22:09:30:
In Reply to: Re: Death on the Truth? posted by . on May 20, 2004 at 17:59:16:
Diver who drowned suffered embolism
May 20, 2004
A very devoted and loving father who had a passion for scuba diving is how Lisa Longo remembers her late husband.
Joseph Longo, a 42-year-old financial adviser from Westlake Village, died Tuesday after rescue crews were unable to revive him after he was found floating unconscious near Santa Cruz Island.
According to an official from the Ventura County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office, Longo died from asphyxia by drowning. He suffered an air embolism that blocked his circulatory system, the official said. The embolism resulted from a rapid ascent to the surface.
Lisa Longo, 45, said her husband was on a diving trip to catch fish.
"He went diving in hopes of catching halibut and getting away from his professional life," Lisa Longo said. "He had been diving for over 20 years and was very experienced and careful."
She added Joseph Longo loved the ocean and was a board member of the Santa Monica BayKeeper, a volunteer program that works to keep California coastlines clean.
Longo was rescued Tuesday morning by crew members of a commercial diving vessel out of Santa Barbara after he was found unconscious at Painted Cave near Santa Cruz Island, Coast Guard officials said. Rescue boats were sent, but medical personnel were unable to revive Longo.
Coast Guard officials said an investigation into the incident is ongoing and have ruled Longo's death accidental.
Longo leaves behind his wife and two daughters, ages 10 and 7.