Michael Norwood of 'Deep Sea Detectives' fatality
Mike B
already, the sad news might as well be mentioned here. Michael
Norwood, co-host with John Chatterton of 'Deep Sea Detectives' died
this past weekend diving, on what I would presume to be a wreck, in
Micronesia. No details are available.
'Deep Sea Detectives' remains one of my favorite shows and is
definitely one that I have picked up on my TIVO. There was a post
about this on 'The Deco Stop' website (http://thedecostop.com). The
people associated with the show have had so many wonderful
opportunities to dive such varied sites and expose some of the history
to so many non-divers. The sites they dive are not generally
considered easy in the least, so everyone knows the potential risks
involved. It is unfortunately that these things happen, no matter what
the circumstances.
Condolences go out to the family and the staff and teams involved in
the show. If anything gets posted to news sites (I've set up a google
news alert on this topic), then I'll forward it to the group. I have
no other info other than what has been mentioned here already.
Greg Mossman
news:cvrctvsiqbq3l92g1...@4ax.com...
> Since this has been posted in the History Channel discussion forum
> already, the sad news might as well be mentioned here. Michael
> Norwood, co-host with John Chatterton of 'Deep Sea Detectives' died
> this past weekend diving, on what I would presume to be a wreck, in
> Micronesia. No details are available.
Here's more details:
http://www.guampdn.com/news/stories/20031211/localnews/11381.html
USS Perry in Palau - 250' deep
Mike B
Thanks Greg. As often the case, reporters get it wrong or the
preliminary investigation team really do not now what is involved.
One can be out of useable gas at depth, yet still have gas in the
tanks.
If this happened on the bottom, they would be at 8.8 ATA (260/33 + 1).
That would be ~130psi, which would be about 10 ft^3 in the 104s that
are pretty much unusable since the regulator works at ambient pressure
and isn't a vacuum pump. So with resistance getting high, he could
have even 'run out of gas' with maybe 200-250 psi at depth, especially
if over breathing and racking up the CO2.
If they attempted to donate gas on the way up, it would explain, I
suppose, why pressure would still be remaining in the tanks on the
surface, thus the layman thinking that he still had something useable.
Please let me know if my math or assumptions are off.
So if gas was being shared, the situation should have been under
control, unless for some reason the two divers were not carrying
enough in reserve for the open circuit diver; in which case when that
is gone, what is there left to do? Looking at several episodes
Chatterton at least was typically using a rebreather. With being as
experienced as he was, I wouldn't think that once sharing air Norwood
would be one to panic. Something had to trigger that final straw. The
other dive buddy was reported to be Danny Crowell (Captain of the
Seeker). It is unfortunate that so many accidents just happen to occur
around him.
History Channel press release:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/031211/nyth141_1.html
Press Release Source: The History Channel
Michael Norwood Host of The History Channel(R) Series DEEP SEA
DETECTIVES(TM) Dies at the Age of 36
Thursday December 11, 12:59 pm ET
NEW YORK, Dec. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, December 6, while on a
deep sea dive for The History Channel series DEEP SEA DETECTIVES,
veteran diver and co-host of the program, Michael Norwood, 36, passed
away.
The staff of The History Channel and A&E Television Networks is
profoundly saddened by his untimely death and we extend our deepest
sympathies to Michael's wife Diana, his parents Fred and Pat Norwood,
and his brother David Norwood, as well as his many friends and
colleagues.
"Michael was the consummate professional. We are honored that he was a
part of our team. Michael brought to the series a rare combination of
talent, not only was he an experienced diver and former Scotland Yard
detective, he was a superb host. He thoroughly enjoyed what he did,
and that was evident in every broadcast. Everyone benefited from
knowing and working with Michael," stated Carl Lindahl, executive
producer for The History Channel.
Michael and his co-host John Chatterton were working on an episode of
DEEP SEA DETECTIVES, produced by KPI Productions, Inc., diving for the
wreck of the World War II ship the USS Perry, off the coast of the
Republic of Palau near the Philippines. Accompanied by Director of
Photography Danny Crowell, the three divers were together descending
toward the wreck along an anchor line when Michael began having
difficulty breathing. Despite the efforts of his two companions who
did everything they could to help him, they were unable to save his
life.
Michael had years of experience as a professional diver. In addition
to serving as the co-host and diver for DEEP SEA DETECTIVES, Michael
also served as the Diving Consultant and Safety Diver on the Sony
Pictures Feature Film "Limbo." He worked with Singing Giraffe
Productions on a diving instruction video and on a documentary titled
"The Heart of Zenobia." Michael was the co- founder, expedition leader
and instructor of Deep Blue Diving, Ltd. in the United Kingdom, a
center of excellence for advanced and technical diving. He conducted
technical diver training and expeditions throughout the UK and Europe.
In March 1996, he conducted dives to the depth of 130 meters (426.5
feet), at the time, the deepest scuba dives undertaken in the UK. He
also served as the coordinator and instructor of Operation Raleigh
Diver Training Team, a registered charity in the UK committed to the
development of young people through the undertaking of worldwide
conservation and humanitarian projects.
Michael Norwood also was employed in a wide range of roles as an
investigator for corporate security operations. Earlier in his career,
Norwood was a Detective Constable 2NW Crime Operational Command Unit
for the Metropolitan Police Services, New Scotland Yard in London,
England. He also served as a Detective Constable Kilburn and Harlesden
Division in the Criminal Investigation Unit.
Matthias Voss
>
> One can be out of useable gas at depth, yet still have gas in the
> tanks.
>
> If this happened on the bottom, they would be at 8.8 ATA (260/33 + 1).
>
> That would be ~130psi, which would be about 10 ft^3 in the 104s that
> are pretty much unusable since the regulator works at ambient pressure
> and isn't a vacuum pump. So with resistance getting high, he could
> have even 'run out of gas' with maybe 200-250 psi at depth, especially
> if over breathing and racking up the CO2.
> If they attempted to donate gas on the way up, it would explain, I
> suppose, why pressure would still be remaining in the tanks on the
> surface, thus the layman thinking that he still had something useable.
>
> Please let me know if my math or assumptions are off.
They are, unless they dived a constant mass flow rebreather.
Intermediate pressure is what a regulator tops up on ambient pressure.
Still you may be right, but for another reason.
In some regulators with high ambient pressure, internal eddies may occur
which restricts airflow, due to their internal design.
This is why Poseidon designed their new Xstream first staged, which are
rated and certifiedfor 200m depth, with only 2 resp. 3 IP ports.
Is their any hint as to which regs he used ?
Matthias
Lee Bell
> The other dive buddy was reported to be Danny Crowell (Captain of the
> Seeker). It is unfortunate that so many accidents just happen to occur
> around him.
Yeah. Just the other day, another train/car accident "just happened to
occur" at the same intersection that's seen about a half dozen of them in
the last few years. Funny how things "just happen" to work out.
Lee