A Lower Hutt man drowned while using a cheap online-purchased breathing device which a police dive expert has branded dangerous.
A coroner, in her report into Shengwei Cao's death released today, calls for the device to be banned from importation into New Zealand.
Cao died in 2023 after diving near Mana Island on the Kapiti Coast. He had free dived for five to six years and had recently bought a Wolach 919 Surface Supplied Breathing Unit online.
The "hookah" tankless system pumps air from the surface to the diver through a hose, allowing them to dive deeper. The 58-year-old tested it in his bathtub the day before he died.
On the morning of his death on March 5, Cao met friends at the Mana Boat Club before the group travelled to Mana Island. About 11.30am, he began using the Wolach for the first time while others scuba dived.
After 10 to 15 minutes he returned to the boat, telling his friend Chen Koo the device was not working and that he felt seasick.
Koo had to help Cao out of the water, which the findings noted was unusual. About 10 minutes later Cao said he felt better and went back in, diving alone roughly 30 metres from the boat.
When Koo later called to him there was no answer, only bubbles. He waved down a passing boat, and its occupants — William Rongoa and son Richmond McGill — found Cao's body still tethered to a buoy in about five metres of water, the mouthpiece beside his head. The pump was still running.
Forensic pathologist Dr Judy Melinek determined the cause of death was drowning, with decompression complications and cardiovascular disease contributing.
'A dangerous system'
A Police National Dive Squad specialist tested the Wolach and found it hard to draw air from, especially at 4.5 to 5 metres, as the compressor only kicks in after pressure drops. The report writer called it "a dangerous system" that could leave a diver feeling as though they were running out of air, triggering panic and carbon dioxide build-up.
The specialist also found Cao had been diving without a dive computer, tables or depth gauge. He was so heavily weighted by two non-releasable harnesses and a belt that he was negatively buoyant and could not ditch the load. Diving alone, when unwell, and using the Wolach were all considered factors in his death.
A funeral notice published after his death said Cao, a painter, left a wife, child and two grandchildren.
Coroner A H Steel found the death was accidental and recommended the Wolach 919 be banned from importation, that MBIE assess similar hookah tankless systems, and that a public safety campaign be run with agencies including WorkSafe, Coastguard, Maritime New Zealand and Water Safety New Zealand.
MBIE Manager of Consumer Services Simon Gallagher said the ministry wanted more information before acting.
"Before determining whether regulatory intervention, including restrictions on supply or importation, is warranted, MBIE considers that further assessment of the broader product category, associated consumer risks, market presence and available regulatory options would be beneficial."
The Wolach 919 no longer appears to be available for sale.
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