In this episode of How Did It Make Sense?, I speak with Aaron Potash about a tragic diving incident in Monterey. A struggling student, a distressed instructor, and a beach full of bystanders—why did no one step in? This story raises important questions about how we recognise and respond to distress in high-risk environments.

We explore the bystander effect, training gaps, and Immersion Pulmonary Edema (IPE), a little-known but potentially fatal condition that may have played a role. Despite its increasing recognition in the diving and medical communities, awareness and early detection remain limited. Aaron shares how this experience reshaped his approach to diver readiness and risk management, emphasizing the need for better training, clearer distress signals, and stronger safety cultures.

Connect with Aaron:

www.originaloaktowndivers.com 

@originaloaktowndivers 

Resources Recommended:

Jessie Singers – There are no accidents

You can also listen to Jessie's episode on How Did It Make Sense here 

Connect with Gareth Here:

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