Man drowned while learning to dive

DUBAI // A man who drowned off the Dubai coast at the weekend was taking lessons to become a diver, police said.

The 29-year-old Romanian, whose name has not been disclosed, died while learning how to dive close to the Sheraton Hotel at Jumeirah Beach Residence on Saturday, said Maj Ali Al Naqbi, director of the Maritime Rescue Unit at Dubai Police.

“A group of trainees were with the instructor and all came up to surface except the victim,” said Maj Al Naqbi. “We were not immediately called to the scene, and the instructor and his assistant were trying to rescue the man themselves.”

Diving schools have to follow strict safety procedures set out by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (Padi) said Jason Sockett, Padi course director at The Dive Centre in Dubai.

These include divers pairing up with a dive buddy. They must remain within arm’s length of each other at all times.

“If one comes up, the other should too,” said Mr Sockett. “It’s important in case one diver runs out of air the other has two regulators, even from a logistical point sometimes the air tank is very heavy.

“Before they dive, there is a pre-dive safety check, during which they are checking the equipment and air.”

Mr Sockett said it was essential that people follow the Padi slogan: “Plan your Dive, Dive your plan.”

“You plan how long you’re going to dive for, as well as the depth, because the time that can be spent under water depends on the depth. You tell the boat’s captain or someone on land when you’re diving and when you’ll be back.”

Sofia Santos, director of marketing at the Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Resort, said that the incident took place on the public beach, adding the victim was not a guest of the hotel.

“This was such an unfortunate incident,” she said. “The man was not staying at the hotel, and we have lifeguards on duty all throughout the day.”