America - Isle Royale - 8/1976

In August of 1976, a 20 year old Wisconsin diver was lost on the America. A group of three divers, including the diver's brother, had penetrated into the America and were exploring the vessel's galley. Two of the divers left the galley without the third diver and continued exploring the wreck. Concern was felt when the third diver failed to surface following the dive. All three divers had done previous dives that day and were subsequently "low on air" even before beginning the dive. Because the remaining divers had used all their air during the dive, help had to be solicited from other divers in the area who searched after arriving at the site. The diver's body was subsequently recovered 1.5 hours later and was found in a small storage room near the back of the America's galley. The door had been open only slightly and the diver had apparently squeezed into the room. The diver then became disoriented and some reports indicate that the large, heavy door may have fallen closed. The door has since been removed from the entrance to the room, which subsequently became known as the "forbidden room."

Diver Variables:
Inexperience: Possible
Equipment Failure: Negative
Inadequate Equipment: Negative
Equipment: Unknown
Health Conditions: Negative
Panic: Possible
Solo Dive: Contributing Factor

Dive Variables:
Depth: Moderate
Penetration: Contributing Factor
Excessive Bottom Time: Contributing Factor
Low Air: Contributing Factor
Mixed Gas: Negative
Decompression Stop Required: Negative

Physical Variables:
Embolism: Negative
DCS: Negative
Narcosis: Negative
Oxygen Toxicity: Negative
Drowning: Positive