Wife of Diver Who Drowned Off Laguna Warns of Ocean Blackout Dangers

Andrew Brislen of San Clemente was spear fishing off Diver's Cove in Laguna Beach in May of 2011 when he suffered what's known as a shallow-water blackout, a little-known condition that results from too much exertion. Essentially, Brislen passed out beneath the ocean surface. Rescuers were unable to revive him, and Brislen passed away. A paddle-out memorial service was held for Brislen days later.

Since then, Brislen's wife Michelle has taken up the cause of informing as many lifeguards and first-responders as she can about shallow-water blackouts. Armed with a slideshow presentation, Brislen recently spoke to San Clemente city and state lifeguards and junior lifeguards to raise awareness about such blackouts, which occur most often when free-diving without supplemental oxygen tanks.

Fred Swegles of the OC Register has more of Michelle Brislen's story. Brislen also sits on the board of an awareness group called Shallow Water Blackout Prevention, and there's a ton of information on their website about its causes—and ways to prevent it.

"We are committed to educating about shallow water blackout prevention and the dangers of breath holding," reads one of the group's mission statements.

Presentations of Brislen's slideshow can be arranged by emailing her at michellebrislen@gmail.com.