A 50 year old, deep sea diver Harry Coumnas was testifying the safety oil ring when his lifeline of air and heat from the surface snagged and severed, leaving him with just his emergency air tank. Harry Coumnas survived by following emergency procedures and remaining still to conserve air. Communications were broken off with his support vessel and it took 43 minutes before he found and pulled into a driving bell.

1. Harry Coumnas, a Deep Sea Diver Survives For
45 Minutes without Oxygen
A 50 year old, deep sea diver Harry Coumnas was testifying
the safety oil ring when his lifeline of air and heat from the surface
snagged and severed, leaving him with just his emergency air tank.
Harry Coumnas survived by following emergency procedures
and remaining still to conserve air.
Communications were broken off with his support vessel and it
took 43 minutes before he found and pulled into a driving bell. His
workmates feared the worst when they pulled his lifeless, blue,
and freezing body on board. However, he gained consciousness
after only two breaths of mouth to mouth once they had removed
his helmet.
The entire survival community has been stunned and has praised
him being patient in the face of death. The doctor who treated
Harry said, “He knew he had to try to conserve his gas even
though he was freezing to death. He doesn’t remember slipping
into unconsciousness. Once his breathing was restored he
recovered quite quickly. He has been very lucky with his life.”
Harry Coumnas had remained in the diving bell, and has made
a full recovery after undergoing decompression treatment. Once
his breathing was restored he recovered quite quickly, so they
proceeded to start and warm him once the door was down and the
bell was on its way up. The company operating the vessel praised
the skill, professionalism and expertise that Harry showed at that
point of time to save his life.