Diver dies off coast of Mission Beach

A 54-year-old experienced diver who had been in the water off the coast of Mission Beach died Saturday afternoon, but it’s unclear whether his death was actually caused by a diving accident, San Diego lifeguards said.

The man, who had been on a diving outing with four friends aboard a 44-foot privately owned yacht, had appeared ill and was vomiting while on the vessel before experiencing trouble in the water, according to lifeguard Lt. Nick Lerma.

“We don’t know if his problem was a medical issue that started before this or he dove and aborted the dive and came to the surface,” Lerma said. “He had jumped into the water, and he had some equipment malfunctions, according to witnesses, and his weight system was weighing him down too much.”

Despite appearing ill, the man jumped into the water, and that is when he began having troubles staying afloat, Lerma explained. Eventually, all four of the other divers tried to assist the man and keep him above water, but he ultimately lost consciousness and stopped breathing, Lerma said.

One of the other divers was able to call for help. They had all drifted about 300 yards from their boat while assisting their companion. Several vessels responded, including one with a paramedic on board, Lerma said. Despite administering CPR and advanced life support, the man was pronounced dead at the dock, according to Lerma.

The group’s boat had been docked at the Yukon, a former Canadian naval vessel that was sunk off Mission Beach 10 years ago and is now a popular diving reef.

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