The incident:


Press Release Date: Oct. 7, 2007
Contact: USCG Public Affairs
206-220-7237

COAST GUARD SEARCHING FOR MISSING DIVER NEAR TACOMA
SEATTLE - The Coast Guard is searching for a missing diver near
Tacoma, Wash., today.

The Tacoma Fire Department notified Coast Guard Sector Seattle at 2:20
p.m. they were searching for a diver who went missing approximately
100 yds. off the shore between downtown Tacoma and Point Defiance.

A 25-foot response boat crew was dispatched from Coast Guard Station
Seattle to assist in the search.

The diver is known to be a male wearing a black wetsuit.

Weather forecasts for the area predict 15-25 knot winds and 2-4 foot
seas.

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Coast Guard, saving lives since 1790.


I wonder:

People should dive with a buddy. But, for those who don't or can't,
shouldn't there be some sort of small EPIRB or other emergency device
that a diver could cut loose and let rise to the surface? (I'm pretty
sure GPS doesn't work under water.......but I don't know for an
established fact that it doesn't).