From: craig@cattnts.canada.ncr.com (Craig Campbell)
Subject: Fatalities
Organization: AT&T / NCR Canada Ltd., Toronto, Canada
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 14:15:11 GMT

On the evening of Monday October 12, 1992, a friend of mine was informed that
there had been a double fatality as a result of diving.  Two friends,
Chris Rouse, and his son, Chris Rouse Jr. were dead.  Susan Rouse was not on
the trip and survives her husband and only son.

I did not know the Rouses personally, althought I may have met them once last
winter in Florida.  I did know their reputation in the technical diving 
community (excellant divers), and from those who did know them, I understand
that they were exceptionally "good people" as well.  The technical diving
community has suffered a hard loss.

The incident occurred diving on a sub in 240 ft. off New York.  It was the 
second dive of the day for the Rouses.  They dove down the anchor line,
and clipped off their decompression bottles.  They then ran a line and
proceeded to penetrate the sub.  At some point in time during the dive there
was a collapse behind them, blocking their exit.  They succeeded in finding
another way out, but by the time they did, they were out of air and unable
to reach the anchor line.  They chose a free ascent.  Chris Jr. was pulled 
onto the boat.  As Chris Sr. was having his gear cut off and being hauled
up, he died.  (His last words were reported to be along the line of
"That's it for me" to the people helping him just before he died.)  Chris Jr.
was air evacuated to a chamber, where he later died when ascended back up
to the 30 ft. depth.  Susan, his mother, arrived just minutes after her son's
death.

There is no hint that the Rouses made any errors, and in fact I suspect many
divers would not even have made it to the surface.  This is a tragic accident.
The Rouses knew the risks involved, and accepted them.  At least they died 
doing what they loved.

craig

P.S.  For your consideration, if you are into peotry,


			The Dive Drive

	I hear now the call, of the waters below,
	What's drawing Me on now, no one can know,
	Save the few Who feel the pull, of that world dark and deep,
	Save the few Who dare enter, Her well guarded keep.

	The waters be cold, the danger increased,
	No treasures be found, a lying in heaps.
	As we enter the water, it's our lives put at risk,
	So why do We do it, are Our minds amiss?

	I think that Our minds are as stable as most,
	What summons Us onward, much more than mere ghosts.
	The Beauty, the Wonder, the Magic, the Life,
	Take us far away, from this world full of strife.

	For that oh too brief time, as We visit Her halls,
	The Deep is Our Mistress, Our Lover, Our All.
	And sharing this Mystery with Me, a rare few,
	Dive Buddy, True Friend, these words are for You,

	Dive Deep and Dive Long, Dive Hard and Be True,
	Calmly answer the challenge the Deep throws at You,
	And if on some day the Deep takes Me from above,
	Staying with You for Always, My Friendship, My Love.

My heart goes out to Susan Rouse.

c.e.c.
-- 
Craig Campbell		|	These opinions are entirely the result of a 
Systems Engineer	|	small butterfly crashing into the far side
NCR Canada,		|	of the planet.  Chaos Rules.
an AT&T Company		|	I speak for no one, except, possibly, myself.
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