Private Warren J.C. Smith

Photo of Private Warren J.C. Smith
Last Call: Sun, Aug 13th, 2000
Date of Incident: Sun, Aug 13th, 2000
Cause of Death: Drowning (Accidental)
Service Time: 2 years
Age: 28

Incident

Private Smith was participating in dive training exercises at a local quarry. Private Smith and his company were simulating the rescue of a drowning child in 70 feet of water. Private Smith had been a certified team diver for 2 years. Private Smith failed to surface with his buddy and rescue attempts were commenced immediately. CPR was started in the water and continued during a boat ride to shore. Paramedics from a local rescue squad provided aid, and Private Smith was transported by helicopter to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Private Smith died of barotrauma, a condition caused when a diver rises to the surface of the water too quickly and suffers internal injuries as a result of gas expansion during the ascent.

For more info see NIOSH report

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200038.html

Agency

Indianapolis Fire Department Patch
555 North New Jersey Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 327-6041

Tributes

There are 2 tributes for Private Warren J.C. Smith.

Private Warren J.C. Smith
Left by Sam on Saturday, July 14th, 2007

Sleep well brother firefighter.

You have earned it.