by Lena Johannessen
Earlier this year during a flight over Lake Atitlán,
Guatemala an Ecuriel B-3 helicopter had technical problems and plunged into
the lake. Thanks to the skill of the pilot, who maneuvered the helicopter for
an emergency water-landing, none of the passengers were injured.
Though damaged, the helicopter could be salvaged — but
who could do the job? The search for a qualified dive team led the helicopter
owner all the way to the Bahamas. His island contacts there referred him to
a company named Oceánica-Centro de Buceo de El Salvador! Unbelievably
help was right next door.
Oceánica is a five-star PADI dive center, and it also
specializes in commercial diving. Director Werner Mena accepted the salvage
job. Including Mena, divers on this highly technical dive included Andy Phillips
and Thomas Erbe. Lake Atitlán is 5,400 feet above sea level and as such
the diving here requires special measures. This was the first time anyone attempted
a sub-aquatic rescue. With the helicopter sitting approximately 300 feet underwater,
the cold and dark depths made this task especially challenging. Legends abound
that nothing could be extracted from the mysterious depths of the lake.
Mena prepared for the trip by outfitting two vessels with
compressors, floating devices, sonar, a camera with infrared lenses and remote
control, submarine communication masks,
radios, sub-propulsion vehicles and submergible
lamps. But the most important
element of the operation was the use of
“trimix” which provides divers a mixture of
three gases –- helium, oxygen and nitrogen.
This highly technical air chemistry requires
the use of specialized software which will
allow divers to safely reach greater depths.
The diver carries up to four gas cylinders
and must make a controlled ascent with
decompression stops.
The second part of the operation involved
specially-trained Salvadoran vessel personnel
who are experts in rescue maneuvers. On February
14, 2004 the ‘copter was raised to the
surface; then rigged for the five hour haul to
Panajachel. The following day it was delivered
to its owner. Congratulations to Werner Mena
and his fine team of diving professionals! •
