Steve Berman..

[jj1987]

Could someone fill me in on what exactly happened with him?

I was very close friends with his stepson dating back to kindergarten, and through high school we hung out almost every weekend. However, I've never felt quite comfortable asking what exactly happened. Our homeroom teacher knew that Zack and I dove, and had just started cavern diving, so she asked us if we heard about the cave diving death. I knew something was odd, but when she said that tears instantly stared, and that was my first realization at what happened.

My neighbor was best friends with Nathan Skiles (Wes' son), so I've heard bits and pieces of the story, as the Skiles' and the Berman's were very close and (still do) go on vacations and such together.

The map that he was working on still sits framed in their living room, lots of his gear is still in their shed, and it's sparked light conversation a few times, but each time it resulted in a quick change in subject.

I hate to push the subject, but I've just never felt it appropriate to ask the family. However, Steve was one of the ones that got me into diving when I was 11 (Lloyd allowed me to take the course, but I had to wait for my C card until my birthday), and I've seen thousands of photos from all around the world of his diving, and heard stories of amazing dives, and I never thought something like this could happen.

Would someone mind filling me in on what happened, and also I've heard there's a memorial at Ginnie for him, could someone give me details on that?

I really hope this post doesn't come off as tacky, I had nothing but the utmost respect for Steve, but this has been a question I've had for I guess almost 7 years now.

[cavediver256]

I am not sure you will find the answers you seek here. The fact of the matter is none of us will never know exactly what happened that fateful night in May.

Steve was not only a friend of mine, but he was also responsible for much of my cave training. It was very hard on all of us, still is sometimes.

[jj1987]

I am not sure you will find the answers you seek here. The fact of the matter is none of us will never know exactly what happened that fateful night in May.

Steve was not only a friend of mine, but he was also responsible for much of my cave training. It was very hard on all of us, still is sometimes.

Thanks for letting me give you a call. That answered a LOT of questions I've had, and from knowing the family and circumstances, I can safely eliminate several of the other theories surrounding the tragic event (at least in my mind).

[cavediver256]

Thanks for letting me give you a call. That answered a LOT of questions I've had, and from knowing the family and circumstances, I can safely eliminate several of the other theories surrounding the tragic event (at least in my mind).

Not a problem, I am glad I could help in whatever small way I did....Just remember a few things:
1) NONE of us will ever know what happened that night.
2) There are lots of theories, everyone has their own.......
3) You have to form your own opinion based on the facts that you have, not on the speculation of others.
4) Keep your memories of Steve close....Not only will those memories put a smile on your face, it will help you to form your own opinion.


Oh BTW, good luck with your overhead training !!!!

[Aktun]

I asked my self some times what delayed Mr Berman and make him ran out of gas 100 feet away from that 72 cu ft stage bottle....
David

[Gary]

One of the theories is that it was a suicide. I have heard some people who say so give good reasons why they think that is the case. Certainly the more time I spend back past the Hinkle the less I can believe it could have been an some sort of accident. I feel very comfortable back there and Steve was no average diver - he was mapping the place.

I suppose that mapping could have lead to him pushing into corners that most wouldn't or distracted him enough to stay slightly longer then he intended. I don't think that either would have been enough on their own. If he was pushing into something small enough to get stuck in there is no evidence he did so and he would have known if it represented a threat that additional reserves would be needed.

As I jumble the numbers and possibilities around in my head I get the feeling that one way or another it boils down to either a major medical problem or a gross violation of safe air reserves. Whether is was suicide or just pushing the limits there should be few out there that understood the appropriate precautions as well as he.

I suppose that a reg free-flow on manifolded tanks could cause enough air loss to cause such an accident if not dealt with quickly enough. That is the only accident I can come up with that might have come out having lost air but later looked like there was no gear failure.

Anyway, I have no answers but I no longer wonder about it either. I don't see any further lessons we don't already know.

But I still stop and pay my respects when I pass the Berman Room.

[RN]

I asked my self some times what delayed Mr Berman and make him ran out of gas 100 feet away from that 72 cu ft stage bottle....
David

Chances are he ran out of gas farther away than that and managed to make it that far before he could no longer hold his breath....

Besides, 100' is a long way. An average swimming speed makes that a 2 minute swim. Someone might be able to swim that in 1 minute. That's still a long time to hold your breath and swim your a$$ off.

[johnnyrichards]

One of the theories is that it was a suicide. .....But I still stop and pay my respects when I pass the Berman Room.

I'm not quite sure how the reference to a malicious rumor appropriately fits in the same post as the word "respect". A truly classless act.

This is my only comment on the subject- chatter at will.

JR

[Gary]

I'm not quite sure how the reference to a malicious rumor appropriately fits in the same post as the word "respect". A truly classless act.

Well you sure did add a lot to the conversation. Thanks for stopping in with all that great info and your personal insights.

Sorry if I said anything to upset anyone. Obviously it has been said before. If it is/was a malicious rumor I apologize for repeating it. I believe the people I heard it from have great respect for Steve - actually everyone who I have ever heard speak of him.

Personally I'd be much more offended if someone said I'd died on accident then that I did it on purpose - but different people have different views on that sort of thing.

[Kelly Jessop]

It is hard to imagine that this May 8th it will be 7 years!!! Steve was a good friend,and I have lost several friends to this sport,this one was the toughest.

For people who knew Steve well,this thread reopens some old wounds,because around this time things were rather tumultuous.

In the last 7 years there have been a lot of new cave divers,and if the desire to understand what happened can prevent one incident among these people,then it is worthy of discussing.

I don't buy the "suicide theory" because it was apparent that a hurried exit to a stage bottle was trying to be made. Why try to show signs of self preservation if you were going to end it. A couple years ago there was a documentary on the Outdoor channel,and one theory was that cardiovascular problem was found in a post-mortem exam. There are many theories floating around,but out of respect to family and friends I hesitate to mention them.

I will end this post with one funny memory of Steve. During a very busy day at Ginnie with a lot of cave divers,Steve was teaching a class. Someone yelled from a distance to Steve,"Do you think I might have a leak in my dry suit",and proceeded to invert the suit causing a couple gallons of water to rush out onto the ground. Steve yelled back,"Have you ever considered buying a p valve". The park erupted in laughter that day.