AUGUST SPEAKER: A Deep Dive into Diving Fatalities
Dr. Craig nelson - science behind diving fatality investigations
Dr. Craig Nelson
This program offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the science of diving fatality investigations and provides valuable knowledge for every diver committed to making the sport safer.
Join SFDI Wednesday, August 5 for an Extraordinary Evening with Dr. Craig Nelson.
What really happens when a diving fatality is investigated? When news of a diving accident spreads, online discussion forums quickly fill with rumors, speculation, and theories—but they rarely provide the facts.
Our club is honored to welcome Dr. Craig Nelson, a long-time diver and forensic pathologist in Raleigh, North Carolina. He will take us beyond the rumors and into the science behind diving fatality investigations.
In this presentation, Dr. Craig Nelson will explain how diving fatalities are investigated, how forensic pathologists determine the cause and contributing factors of a fatal dive, and how those findings are used to improve diver safety. Drawing on his unique background as both an accomplished diver and practicing forensic pathologist, he will share real-world insights into accident investigation, the role of the medical examiner, and how lessons learned from these tragedies contribute to safer diving through the work of Divers Alert Network (DAN).
Dr. Craig Nelson - Deep Dive on accident investigation
Dr. Craig Nelson
ABOUT Dr. Craig Nelson
Dr. Craig Nelson is a practicing forensic pathologist with the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Raleigh. His career represents a rare combination of elite diving experience and forensic medical expertise, making him uniquely qualified to interpret the circumstances surrounding diving fatalities and the lessons they hold for improving diver safety.
A lifelong diver, Dr. Nelson was first certified in 1989 and became a diving instructor in 1996. That same year, he earned the prestigious Rolex Our World-Underwater Scholarship, spending the following year traveling the world exploring professional careers in diving. His work with Lifeguard Systems in New York teaching underwater body recovery and water rescue ultimately inspired his pursuit of forensic pathology.
After earning his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Dr. Nelson completed his pathology residency at the University of Arizona and a fellowship in forensic pathology at the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office. Following more than five years as a Deputy Medical Examiner in San Diego, he returned to North Carolina in 2014, where he continues to serve as a forensic pathologist.
Throughout his medical career, Dr. Nelson has remained active in the diving community as a member of public safety dive teams, combining his passion for diving with his forensic expertise. His work has also included conducting diving fatality reviews for Divers Alert Network (DAN), helping advance diver safety through careful scientific investigation and analysis.
JULY SPEAKER: StePHEN Frink - Photographer, Publisher FOR DAN's Alert Diver Magazine, VIA ZOOM
Picture of a beautiful turtle with open mouth by Stephen Frink
My Hometown - Visions of Key Largo, A Retrospective
Key Largo by Stephen Frink
Join us on July 1st as internationally acclaimed underwater photographer Stephen Frink takes us on a captivating journey through the waters that launched his remarkable career.
Stephen arrived in Key Largo in 1978 to open a small photo studio, processing E-6 slide film and renting cameras to local divers. Over the decades, he has become one of the world's most prolific underwater photographers, traveling the globe to capture breathtaking images beneath the surface.
Despite his international success, Key Largo remains close to his heart. In this special presentation, Stephen will share stunning photography, personal stories, and unique insights into what make the Florida Keys one of the world's premier diving destinations. Whether you're a diver, photographer, or ocean enthusiast, this promises to be an entertaining and inspiring evening you won't want to miss.
by Stephen Frink
Stephen Frink
ABOUT Stephen Frink
Stephen Frink is among the world's most frequently published underwater (UW) photographers, with a career spanning four decades. He arrived in Key Largo in 1978 to open a small studio dedicated to UW photo services, primarily renting cameras and processing E-6 slide film, but he soon began to receive assignments to photograph and write articles for the consumer dive publications of the day.
He worked as a photojournalist for Skin Diver magazine for 17 years, covering much of the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Florida Keys for the publication. Subsequently, he worked as the Director of Photography for Scuba Diving magazine. Since 2009, Stephen has been the publisher of Alert Diver magazine, a beautiful coffee-table collectible publication for members of the Divers Alert Network.
Clients for assignment photography have included Scubapro, Victoria's Secret, Aqualung, Oceanic, Canon, Nikon, Subgear, Mercury Marine, Jantzen, Alcan Aluminum, R.J. Reynolds, Seaquest, Henderson Aquatics, American Express, Hanes, and Club Med. Rolex Watch Company has also engaged Frink for both personal endorsement and commercial product photography.
Stephen teaches master's-level courses through the Stephen Frink School of Underwater Digital Imaging each summer in his home waters off Key Largo, Florida, and offers dive excursions emphasizing underwater photography through his travel company, WaterHouse Tours. For many years, Stephen served as the North American distributor for Seacam housings and strobes and remains involved as a brand ambassador.
When off the road, Stephen divides his time between residences in Key Largo, Florida, and Rougemont, North Carolina.
June SPEAKER: Jeff Lindsay
Taking My Camera to Places I Probably Shouldn't
JB Kings Canyon by Jeff Lindsay
Shipwrecks and caves from around the world.
Photographing some of the most challenging locations imaginable with the goal of bringing back images that inspire and show the history and beauty of these remote locations.
Wreckship by Jeff Lindsay
Jeff Lindsay
ABOUT JEFF LINDSAY
Growing up on the shores of the Great Lakes fostered a natural curiosity about the unexplored for Jeff Lindsay; learning to dive in 1990 led to a lifelong desire to visit and photograph the unknown and forgotten.
With an almost limitless number of shipwrecks nearby, a natural progression into technical diving was required for the deeper and more remote locations.
He’s been invited on numerous projects as team photographer around the world as well as being a keynote speaker at Diving Talks, Portugal and DivExpo, Antwerp.
His biggest thrill is still visiting a shipwreck or cave and capturing some small part of its essence in a photograph.
His website: www.jefflindsay.ca [jefflindsay.ca]
MAY SPEAKER: Krista Laforest, Coral Spawning Research
CORAL SPAWNING: THE FINAL FRONTER OF REEF CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION
Coral reefs are a valuable ecosystem teeming with marine life, but facing threats that could eliminate half of the world's reefs in the next few decades. Once a year, a phenomenon known as mass coral spawning takes place on the reefs at night. These spawning events help create offspring that can allow reefs to recover naturally.
Please join SFDI on May 6th as we hear from coral spawning expert Krista LaForest, who will discuss coral reproduction, the challenges and triumphs of spawning research, and the path forward. This presentation will be live on Zoom.
Coral Spawning
Krista Laforest
ABOUT KRISTA LAFOREST
Krista Laforest grew up diving in New England, however her current work focuses on coral research in Florida and the broader Caribbean, including Bonaire and Panama. She has 7 years of coral restoration experience outplanting corals, assessing coral health, and, most notably, monitoring coral spawning both in the wild and in land-based coral production facilities. Currently, Krista is pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, focusing on the effects of climate change on Caribbean coral reproduction. A proud member of the Boston Sea Rovers and Explorers Club, she has published multiple scientific papers and restoration documents utilized in both the Caribbean and Indo-Pacific reefs.
