OSTOQUE SUMP, CAVE RECOVERY IN PUEBLA, MEXICO

This was a very tragic accident during 2004 in the mountains of Puebla.
The name of the victim was Mariano Fuentes, who was a Scientist and a very experienced dry caver, with open water diver certification as background. The story is long but what is important to observe in this accident was the fast response we conducted in collaboration with the with IUCRR and NCRC from the United States.
During a four day period inside the cave camp, the body was found. It is important to mention that without the help and support of Steve Ormeroid and Dave Millholin this would have been a much more difficult task to perform, their experience in Sump Diving techniques was a necessary background to do it Safely.
Alex Alvarez, Juan Carlos Carrillo and myself conducted all the logistics and predive assessments for the push dive.

The conditions in Ostoque sump were as follows:
Zero visibility, Water Temperature 2 degrees Celsius, very complicate dry and vertical caving conditions.

This was probably one the most complex and difficult cave diving recoveries in history. During the efforts to locate Mariano, more than 150 dry cavers supported the operation, and even with that, the body was left inside the sump 1. Areas where too restricted to conduct the recovery creating a safety issue for all cave diving teams.
What happened to Mariano? We do not know exactly what happened, but the research we conducted assumed an Anoxia or Methane poisoning once he arrived to the sump 1, we really believe this was the problem. During the body recovery, the team found out the diver did not have cave diving equipment which probably lead to other problems during his dive.

What is the lesson here?
1) Be trained for cave diving.
2) Do not breath without your regulator in places you are not sure what the surrounding gas is.
3) Do not do solo dives.
4) Be a responsible diver.

The Mexican team appreciates all the efforts made by Steve Ormeroid and Dave Millholin. We also appreciate the help of UNAM and other volunteer groups who supported us as divers during the vertical rope descents and porting the cave diving gear.