Theory: The Maldives Divers Died Because They Were Unknowingly Diving on Nitrox (Discussion)
I’ve been following the Maldives cave diving tragedy closely and I wanted to share my theory since I haven’t seen that many people talking about. Here’s how I think it played out.
Everyone keeps saying “oxygen toxicity” but not connecting the dots on how five experienced divers could all succumb to it simultaneously without a single one making it out.
The Setup: The group were clearly not amateurs. You’ve got a university ecology professor, a marine biologist, a diving instructor, researchers. These people dive regularly and know what they’re doing. They planned a 50-55 meter dive, which is deep but not unheard of for advanced/technical divers on the right gas mix.
50-55 meters on regular air (21% oxygen) is dangerous but survivable with proper training. On Nitrox 32%, that same depth puts you way past the maximum operating depth of 34 meters. Your partial pressure of oxygen goes through the roof and you’re in acute toxicity territory as soon as you enter the 30-40 meter mark.
My Theory: I think they were handed tanks filled with Nitrox but were told that they were on regular air. While they should have used an oxygen analyzer to double-check that the tanks were filled with the right gas mix, this step often gets skipped when preparing for a dive.
If that’s the case, here’s exactly how it would have played out.
They do their pre-dive checks. The tanks look identical to air tanks. There’s no way to tell by looking or smelling.
They calculate their dive plan based on air. No depth alarms set for Nitrox limits because they don’t know they need them.
Descent feels completely normal through the first 30-40 meters. No symptoms, no warning. This is the brutal part because oxygen toxicity at depth gives you almost nothing beforehand.
They hit 50+ meters inside the cave. The partial pressure of O2 spikes past 1.6 bar, the threshold where acute toxicity seizures become likely.
One diver convulses suddenly. No warning. Regulator comes out. They fall unconscious and drown within seconds.
The others try to help, but they’re on the same tanks, at the same depth. They seize too, one by one, inside a confined cave with no quick exit.
It’s over in minutes. Maybe less.
Extremely sad situation; RIP to all six who died