Most Experienced American Cave Diver Met 'Brutal Silent Death' Attempting 1,112-Foot Sinkhole Descent in Mexico
The world was shocked when the news broke that one of the best divers in the world, died doing the thing he loved the most. Sheck Exley was considered one of the most celebrated divers in the world before he lost his life in Zacatón, LADBible reported. Exley died while trying to conquer the deepest cenote in the world.
The diving community was astounded by this accident, as it was hard to come to terms with the fact that an expert like Exley died while taking a plunge. Decades later, his impact on the adventure activity continues to shine bright, in the form of his mapped-out safety regulations.
Sheck Exley
Sheck Exley, along with being a diver was a 45-year-old mathematics teacher living in Florida, NUSites reported. He died on April 6, 1994, while trying to descend to a depth of over 1,000 feet in a cave in Mexico.
Exley was a pioneer in the subject of safe cave diving practices. He researched extensively on the subject and wrote several books on how diving can be done with knowledge, care, and skill.
Exley's love for the activity was so great that he became the first diver in the world, to log over 1,000 cave dives. Throughout his 29-year-long career, the man went past 4,000 cave dives.
Zacatón Sinkhole
Zacatón sinkhole, also known as El Zacatón cenote, is a geological feature found in northeastern Mexico, Geology Science reported. It is located within the Sierra Madre Oriental mountain range, near the town of Aldama.
The area has been declared the world’s deepest-known sinkhole, with a depth of approximately 339 meters (1,112 feet), including the above-water cliff. The water in the sinkhole is crystal clear and carries a unique ecosystem, making it an enticing challenge for divers all over the world.
Deadly Dive
Exley had previously come to the area in 1993 but could not cover the whole of Zacatón, LADBible reported. This time he wanted to complete his unfulfilled mission. As always, the man was thorough in his preparations, taking two days to prepare the required decompression bottles, individual descent lines, and routes required to reach the bottom.
He made his way down on April 6, 1994, along with Jim Bowden, as a dual dive. They also had several other experienced divers, outside for support. Everything was going smoothly, but at around 750 feet, Bowden slowed down. On reaching 900 feet, Bowden realized that more air than previously expected had been utilized. After a slight panic, Bowden managed to dive upwards to 60 feet, but could not find Exley. He managed to come out, and a rescue effort commenced for the lost diver. Three days later, Exley's body was recovered from one of the lines.
Cause of Sheck Exley's Death
Experts have speculated that Exley knew in his last moments that he was going to die, LADBible reported. He underwent a 'brutal silent death' and to help people recover his body, the man attached himself to one of the lines. The diving community was saddened by the loss and continues to honor him by using many of the safety principles created by him. Over the years many possible reasons have been pointed out as Exley's cause of death, IUCRR reported. One of them being violent tremors caused by the helium in his air mix.