Yesterday, we told you about Alexander Nikitan, the Russian who died after diving to 300+ feet. According to an accident analysis by Jean Loup Hamacher (TDI Extended Range Instructor and PADI MSDT) who was at the scene of the accident, Nikita was conscious and asking for help when he surfaced from his dive. Having difficulty breathing, Nikitan explained that, while at 330 feet, he had lost his weight belt. Rescuers administered emergency care, but Nikitan died soon thereafter. An inspection of Nikitan's computer revealed that he had performed a normal ascent until 240-210 feet -- but surfaced from that depth in only a few seconds. He had missed his decompression stops and had not used his nitrox28 and nitrox70 on ascent.

Based on a post-accident gear analysis, Hamacher assumed the cause of the accident was probably poor gas management. With no reserve left, Nikitan likely removed his weight in an attempt to save his life when he ran out of gas at depth of 240 feet, resulting in hypoxia and massive gas embolism. For the full analysis, check out Tetis, a Russian forum, which has posted the report in English.