Inquest told UK rebreather diver’s death was due to diluent error

A 72-year-old UK scuba diver named Neil Barker died due to a diluent error with his rebreather. This happened on May 31 while he was diving near Bigbury-on-Sea. Witnesses reported that he surfaced but then began to sink again. Preliminary findings from the inquest indicated that he drowned because there was not enough diluent gas for buoyancy and breathing. This incident highlights the importance of proper equipment management and safety protocols in rebreather diving.