A scuba diver died Wednesday evening in an underwater accident at the Mission Bay Channel.
A captain of a nearby vessel sent out a distress call to lifeguards when the diver — later identified as Jeffrey Logandro, 38 — started struggling below the surface at about 7 p.m., just south of Mission Point.
According to San Diego Lifeguard Lt. John Sandmeyer, three men were on a boat when Logandro jumped into the water with his gear on to go lobster fishing. The others noticed he was struggling with the gear and jumped in to try to keep him above water, but Logandro sank.
“He did have an issue with his gear or panic, went down without breathing compressed air and was found at the bottom of the ocean there," said Sandmeyer.
Lifeguards arrived on scene within a few minutes and found the distressed diver about 20 feet underwater. It was a challenge to get Logandro out of the water because of the heavy equipment he was wearing, San Diego Fire officials said. They believe that may have been the source of the diver's problems.
When they finally pulled him out, he had been underwater between four to eight minutes, according to estimates. Sandmeyer said lifeguards managed to get most of Logandro’s gear into the boat, except for a weight belt that sank in the water.
Lifeguards performed CPR on him at their Quivira Court headquarters. Logandro was then transported to UC San Diego Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 8:05 p.m.
The investigation into the Logandro's death continued Thursday morning with officials searching for the weight belt that fell to the ocean floor during his struggle. Sandmeyer said the belt will be checked to see if the weight was too much. Logandro’s other gear will also be examined.
“It was just a very unfortunate situation and an incident that all too often occurs. People need to know their abilities and need to know their gear, too," said Sandmeyer. He added novices should never dive at night.
Logandro leaves behind a wife, two daughters and a baby on the way.
