Josh's Blog

Rest in Peace: Wes Skiles

I just read that Wes Skiles, a pillar of the cave diving and underwater filming community in Florida, has died. I don’t know much more than that at this point—only that he was diving for National Geographic off of West Palm Beach. So sudden. So unexpected. I was just reading National Geographic’s cover story on Bahamas’ Blue Holes—photography by Wes C. Skiles. While many of the divers I know have been acquainted with Wes for years, I just met him a few months ago at the Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride. He came to one of the breakfast panels that I was on and, afterward, we talked a bit about possibly working/diving together and he gave me his card. It’s sitting right here on the table next to my computer…

Technical diving is, as many know, a high-risk endeavor. I don’t think anyone in the diving community refuses to acknowledge that. Whether it’s in a cave or on a deepwater wreck, there’s little to no room for error. Last year, veteran diver Carl Spencer died while on a National Geographic expedition to the Brittanic. In Carl’s case, he made the mistake of breathing the wrong air mixture while at depth. I haven’t heard what led to Wes’ death—perhaps it wasn’t dive related at all. Perhaps he just had a heart attack. But the risks inherent to underwater exploration are well documented, so every diver knows what could happen when he or she enters the water. It’s just surprising (and sobering) when something like this happens to someone as experienced as Carl or Wes. I’m sorry we didn’t get a chance to dive together, Wes. Rest in Peace.

[Post Script—This article just turned up online and offers a little more info…. http://bit.ly/ahmAna]

Posted by ExplorerJosh on 07/22 at 10:30 AM

1. Wes will be sorely missed.

   Posted by Bonnie Cotier on 07/22 at 12:09 PM

2. WOW! I’m just trying to collect my thoughts on this. What strikes me most is that a guy like Wes spends his diving career in caves and other more extreme dive environments, then dies during a reef dive in West Palm Beach. His work was, in a word, inspiring.

   I spent the ‘99 diving season as a dive guide, mapping out the southern West Palm Beach reef system. It holds very little challenge for anyone with Wes’s dive experience. So unfortunate. I guess we’ll have to wait for more details as they emerge.
   ~Idee

   Posted by Alive2Dive on 07/22 at 12:16 PM

3. Im give my condolences,about carl,I have always loved to watch national geographic,shows I enjoy reading there magazines too! Oh by the way congrats on your new engagement Im kinda sad ,although i dont really know you josh, you seem Like a really neat guy I used to stay up late just to watch you and your show even on work nights you have a great personality and Im sure a good heart too.God bless .

   Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on 07/26 at 11:05 PM

4. Nice photograph!

   Posted by Caster the Vigrx Plus guy on 08/18 at 09:08 AM

5. Make a fruit based masque. Take several slices of orange peel and mash until pulpy. Next add a small amount of warm water to create a masque-like consistency. Apply to the affected area for several hours (or while you sleep if you want to get rid of pimples overnight) and rinse clean with warm water.

   Posted by AgeSpots on 08/28 at 04:31 AM

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