F2018-09 IL

Career Firefighter/SCUBA Diver Drowns 

While Searching 

for Civilian in an Industrialized River—

Illinois

NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 2

Summary

• On May 28, 2018, a 46-year-old career firefighter/SCUBA diver drowned 

while searching for a civilian who fell from a boat into an industrialized 

river

Courtesy of the Fire Department
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 3

Summary

• Two divers (Diver 1 served as a stationary underwater line tender, while 

Diver 2 searched in a circular pattern) were deployed from the fire 

department helicopter

• The dive supervisor arrived, contacted the divers to direct them to 

surface and to reposition. During the second dive, the dive supervisor 

requested an air check, and Diver 1 reported 1400 pounds per square 

inch (psi) and Diver 2 (the victim) reported 1200 psi 

• After the two divers surfaced, Diver 1 was assisting Diver 2, as he was 

having difficulty maintaining positive buoyancy

• A police boat threw a life ring towards Diver 2, but the fire 

department’s fast boat approached and instructed the divers to come to 

its boat, causing the police boat to relocate away from the divers 
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 4

Summary

• The divers drifted toward the bow of the fast boat as Diver 1’s hands 

were on the hull, and Diver 2 simultaneously pulled Diver 1’s mask off

• While Diver 1 inflated his buoyancy compensating device, Diver 2 

disappeared under the water 

• Two divers from the fast boat and police divers were deployed. The fire 

department’s rapid intervention team divers on the shoreline also were 

deployed 

• Approximately 8 minutes later, Diver 2 was located by the police boat 

diver. Advanced life support measures were performed

• Diver 2 was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead 
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 5

Contributing Factors

• Air management

• Fundamental SCUBA skills 

• Buoyancy control (inability to maintain positive buoyancy)

• Members unaware of distress

• Multiple agency integration and cooperation
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 6

Key Recommendation

• Fire departments and public safety 

dive agencies should ensure regular 

training on fundamental dive skills, 

such as air management, buoyancy 

control, redundant air and out-of-air 

procedures 

Figure courtesy of the International Association of Dive 

Rescue
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 7

Key Recommendation

• Fire departments and 

public safety dive agencies 

should ensure that incident 

commanders, dive group 

leaders, and members 

maintain situational 

awareness, accountability, 

and frequent and accurate 

air status on all divers

NIOSH Photo
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 8

Key Recommendation

• Fire departments and public 

safety dive agencies should 

ensure all public safety divers 

use dive computers

Courtesy of the Chicago Fire 

Department
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 9

Key Recommendation

• Fire departments, standardsetting organizations, public 

safety dive agencies, and SCUBA 

manufacturers should consider 

adding heads-up displays in all 

full-face mask SCUBA because of 

frequent zero-visibility/silt-out 

conditions 

Courtesy of the Chicago Fire 

Department
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 10

Key Recommendation

• Fire departments and public safety 

dive agencies should ensure that a 

properly trained dive safety officer is 

on scene and integrated into the 

command structure

Courtesy of Getty Images
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 11

Key Recommendation

• Fire departments and public safety dive agencies should recognize public 

safety SCUBA diving as a high-risk/low-frequency event and ensure that 

public safety divers are properly trained, equipped, and supported to 

perform dives; training and standard operating procedures/standard 

operating guidelines (SOPs/SOGs) should include the regional dive and 

water rescue team(s) who regularly respond with interagency cooperation

Figure courtesy of Graham Research Consultants
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 12

Key Recommendation

• Fire departments and public safety 

dive agencies should ensure that the 

helicopter SOPs/SOGs address diver in 

distress situations when divers are 

deployed prior to the arrival of shore 

and/or marine units

Courtesy of the Fire Department
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 13

Key Recommendation

• Fire departments and public 

safety dive agencies should 

ensure that communications 

equipment is reliable and has 

interoperability

Courtesy of the Chicago 

Fire Department
NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program 14

CONTACT US

Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program

Surveillance and Field Investigations Branch

Division of Safety Research

NIOSH 1000 Frederick Lane, MS 1808

Morgantown, West Virginia 26505-2888

FFFIPP Webpage

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