CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — It’s been nearly two years since the U.S. military community lost someone in an off-duty fatality in the waters of Okinawa — on April 15, 2004 — and Marine Corps Base safety officials hope to continue that trend.

In the past several months, however, there have been six close calls, according to Shawn Curtis, an occupational safety and health specialist here.

They all had “near-tragic results requiring either medical treatment or hospitalization,” Curtis said. “Our recent track record shows that we could be close to having another serious incident.”

With the weather warming and the ocean beckoning, the time to refocus on water safety is now, he and other water safety experts say.

With roughly 8,000 recreational scuba divers in the military community, Okinawa has the highest concentration of divers in the world, according to Bob Zimmerman, chief scuba instructor for Marine Corps Community Services.

“You can easily get to countless [dive] sites on island,” said Kevin Freeland, MCCS scuba program manager. “The quality and temperature of the water make [diving] the No. 1 recreational pastime for servicemembers.”

The most common months for accidents are March, April and May, he said, “and it’s usually because people haven’t taken the time to knock the rust off properly. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been diving for two or 20 years, you need to start slow.”

Freeland recommends refreshing skills by diving in either an easy, familiar spot or a swimming pool.

Zimmerman said the amount of time a diver has been inactive will dictate the skills needing renewal.

“You need to refresh your knowledge on the physics of diving … why things happen and what to do when they happen,” Zimmerman said.

Both Zimmerman and Freeland said it’s important to get dive gear checked out to make sure it’s working properly before entering the water. All base scuba lockers can perform safety inspections.

When it’s time to hit the water, Freeland offers the following advice to divers unsure of conditions:

“When you go to the site, take 10 seconds to evaluate the conditions — if you can’t decide in 10 seconds, don’t go in,” he said. “I’ve been in trouble several times, and every time I violated the 10-second law.”

Many times, people enter questionable waters because they’ve made plans for the day and spent money on renting gear, Curtis said..

Freeland said that’s a poor excuse.

“I was taught a long time ago that my life is worth more than money or the inconvenience,” he said. “It’s not about courage ... machismo … every diver should be taught that diving is a personal decision.”

Diving partners also need to understand one another’s abilities and comfort zones, Curtis said.

“Many incidents have happened where one diver was superior to the other,” and the less-experienced diver went beyond his capabilities, he said.

Freeland said that could lead to panic, “and panic leads to death.”

Sea conditionsFollowing are various sea condition levels people should take into consideration before entering the waters surrounding Okinawa:

Sea condition-Caution (C)

Conditions that could damage property or cause minor injury. Issued when winds reaching 18 knots (about 21 mph), including gusts, have been observed for six hours, or otherwise adverse sea conditions have been reported. Exercise caution if entering the water. Only people who can accurately assess local conditions should enter the water.

Sea condition-Warning (W)

Conditions that may be life-threatening. Issued after 25-knot (about 29 mph) winds, including gusts, have been observed for at least three hours, or otherwise dangerous sea conditions have been observed. Exercise extreme caution if entering the water. Only people who can accurately assess local conditions, have extensive experience in water activity, have a need to enter the water, or whose water activity warrants the action should enter the water.

Sea condition-Red (R)

Conditions are deemed life-threatening and will cause damage to property. Issued after 34-knot (about 39 mph) winds, including gusts, have been observed and are persist for at least three hours, or during Tropical Cyclone Condition of Readiness (TCCOR) Caution, islandwide. No entry into the water is permitted. Marine SCUBA facilities close and/or will not issue rentals, refill tanks, or continue water-related classes or activities.

Sectors affected:

West (W): East China Sea shoreline; Hedo Point (the island’s northern tip) west down to Cape Kiyan (southern tip); north, northwest, west and southwest shores.

East (E): Pacific Ocean shoreline, Hedo Point east down to Cape Kiyan, northeast, east, south and southeast.

To find out the latest sea condition, go to the Kadena Weather Web site at: www.kadena.af.mil/weather/update/sea.htm, or monitor AFN television or radio. You can also contact the Torii Station scuba locker at 644-4263, Tsunami Gear on Camp Foster at 645-4206 or the Kadena Marine at 634-6344.

Dangerous diving

The seven riskiest diving sites on Okinawa:

Bolo PointMaeda PointOnna PointHiji FallsHedo PointIkei Island BridgeIkei Island near the Big Time ResortWater Safety Tips

Shawn Curtis, an occupational safety and health specialist on Okinawa, offers the following water safety tips:

Know your abilities and stay within them.Never go into the water alone.Only swim where lifeguards are.Always enter the water feet first in unclear waters.Stay within an arm’s length of children in the water.Make informed decisions — check local weather forecasts and sea conditions.Don’t mix alcohol with water sports — 50 percent of stateside water-related fatalities are alcohol-related.In the event of a water emergency, people should call “118,” a direct line to the Japanese Coast Guard. They will ask local boats to assist and will notify base emergency personnel.Source: Marine Corps Bases Japan Safety Office

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