Back-to-back fatalities at Gabriola Island and Whytecliff Park renew calls for solo diving awareness and pre-dive safety checks.
British Columbia’s diving community is reeling after two scuba fatalities occurred in the province’s coastal waters within the span of just four days. The incidents — one off Gabriola Island on Wednesday, May 20, and another at the popular Whytecliff Park dive site in West Vancouver on Sunday, May 24 — have sent shockwaves through the local diving community and renewed calls for heightened vigilance both in and out of the water.
Incident One: Gabriola Island, May 20
The first tragedy unfolded on the evening of Wednesday, May 20, at Degnen Bay on Gabriola Island, a small island community off the east coast of Vancouver Island known for its vibrant arts scene and scenic waterways. A 66-year-old Gabriola Island resident entered the water alone from the Degnen Bay dock just before 5:00 p.m., wearing full scuba equipment.
He had surfaced swum only a short distance — less than 100 feet — toward a mooring buoy approximately 30 metres offshore when bystanders observed him motionless at the surface. Nearby boaters acted quickly, bringing the man ashore and beginning resuscitation efforts while waiting for emergency services to arrive.
BC Emergency Health Services, the Gabriola Fire Department, and local physicians all responded to the scene. Despite sustained life-saving efforts, the diver was pronounced dead at the scene. Gabriola RCMP, who commended the actions of the boaters and emergency responders, confirmed the death is not considered suspicious and that an investigation has been opened into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Incident Two: Whytecliff Park, West Vancouver, May 24
Just four days later, on Sunday afternoon, West Vancouver Police received an emergency call at approximately 1:26 p.m. reporting a scuba diver in distress in the waters off Whytecliff Park — one of British Columbia’s most beloved and frequently visited shore-dive locations. The site, known for its rich marine life and accessible entry points, draws divers of all experience levels throughout the year.
A large multi-agency response was quickly assembled, including West Vancouver Police, West Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services, BC Emergency Health Services, and the Canadian Coast Guard. Despite their swift mobilization, the 50-year-old man was declared dead at the scene. West Vancouver Police confirmed that investigators found no indication of suspicious circumstances and that next of kin have been notified.
A Reminder for the Diving Community
While the precise causes of both deaths remain under investigation, the incidents serve as a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in scuba diving — even in familiar, well-travelled waters. The Gabriola Island incident is particularly notable: the diver entered the water alone, and bystanders observed him in distress almost immediately after entering.
Dive safety organizations consistently identify solo diving as a significant risk factor, stressing that the buddy system exists precisely to provide a trained responder in the critical seconds before help can arrive. For divers planning to dive alone — whether by circumstance or preference — carrying a surface marker buoy (SMB), dive knife, and a dive computer with emergency notification capabilities are considered essential.
Beyond buddy protocols, both incidents are a timely prompt for the broader community to revisit pre-dive checks. Fitness to dive assessments — particularly for divers over 40 — remain one of the most underemphasized aspects of dive preparation. Cardiovascular issues are a leading contributor to dive fatalities, and medical evaluations with a dive-medicine specialist are recommended for any diver with existing health concerns.
Support Resources
Anyone affected by the West Vancouver incident is encouraged to contact West Vancouver Police Victim Services at 604-925-7468. Divers experiencing distress or seeking safety resources can also reach out to DAN (Divers Alert Network).
Diventures Magazine extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of both divers. We will continue to monitor developments from BC Coroners Service investigations as further details become available.
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