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HEATHER CASEY
Firehouse.com News
Firefighter Warren J.C. Smith of the Indianapolis Fire Department died Sunday afternoon after a simulated diving rescue of a child in a gravel pit on the southwest side of the city.
Indianapolis Fire Department
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He died from a condition known as barotrauma, caused when a diver rises to the surface too rapidly, said Frances Kelly, Marion County chief deputy coroner. Gases in the body, such as oxygen and nitrogen, contract when divers descend and expand when they rise, Kelly said. If they rise too fast, the lungs can over-inflate, rip, and spill out air that can cause air clots. Air clots were found during Smith's autopsy Monday, Kelly said.
"They were searching for a child dummy in about 70 feet of water," as part of a monthly training session, said Roger Birchfield, assistant PIO.
Smith, 28, was a five-year veteran of the department and a member of station 14.
Smith and his partner entered the water at about 1 p.m., followed by a second team. They had been in the water about five minutes when Smith's partner surfaced and another diver arose, yelling for help, Birchfield said.
One diver cut off Smith's weight belt while others pulled him from the water and launched a boat to carry him the 100 feet to shore. The rescuers started CPR as soon as they had Smith on the boat.
At 1:41 p.m. Life Line Helicopter air-lifted Smith to Methodist Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:14 p.m. "They shocked him about three times and brought him back once, but he went back under," Birchfield said.
The divers first knew there was a problem when one of them encountered Smith thrashing under the water.
Officials said additional causes of the tragedy will be examined, such as whether Smith ran out of air or had equipment problems.
The joint investigation is being headed by the Marion County Sheriff's Department, in conjunction with the state police, the Department of Natural Resources and the Indianapolis Police Department dive team.
Smith is survived by his father, Birchfield said.
Services will be held Friday afternoon August 18th at Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral 1400 N. Meridian St.
Internment will be at Washington Park North
Visiting Firefighters Hotel Information:
- Omni Severin
40 W. Jackson Street
317-634-6664
$99/Night
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