A Louisiana woman said her “bucket list” vacation in Tanzania ended tragically after her partner died while trying to pull off an underwater proposal, Louisiana news station WBRZ reported on September 20.
This video shows Steven Weber swimming up to the window of an underwater resort, a partially submerged structure anchored to the seafloor that gives guests a look into the ocean. The Manta Resort told the BBC that Weber “tragically drowned while free diving alone outside the underwater room” on Thursday afternoon.
Weber shows Kenesha Antoine, who’s standing inside the room, a piece of paper with a note asking her to marry him.
The note read: “I can’t hold my breath long enough to tell you everything I love about you. But … everything I love about you I love more every day! Will you please be my wife? Marry me???”
Weber, wearing a snorkel and flippers, gives Antoine time to read the two-sided note before reaching into his pocket to pull out a ring. He then swims out of frame.
“You never emerged from those depths, so you never got to hear my answer, “Yes! Yes! A million times, yes, I will marry you!!” We never got to embrace and celebrate the beginning of the rest of our lives together, as the best day of our lives turned into the worst, in the cruelest twist of fate imaginable,” Antoine said on Facebook.
The Department of State official issued the following statement to Storyful: “We are aware of reports of the death of a US citizen in Tanzania. We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss. We stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance. Out of respect to the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment.” Credit: Kenesha Antoine via Storyful
One theory how it could have happened: Shallow Water Blackout
WHO it affects: Shallow water blackout (also known as hypoxic blackout) can affect anyone who is breath-holding, even the physically fit swimmer. It is especially seen in competitive swimmers, Navy SEALs, snorkelers, spearfishermen or anyone who free-dives. Blackouts cut across the spectrum of freediver training affecting all levels. No one is protected from succumbing to an underwater blackout.
WHEN: Frequently, Shallow Water Blackout (Hypoxic Blackout) occurs WITHOUT ANY WARNING of its onset. In fact, because of the hypoxia and detached mental state one can feel euphoric and empowered to continue breath-holding. Unlike regular drowning where there can be 6-8 minutes before brain damage and death, there are ONLY about 2 ½ minutes before BRAIN DAMAGE then DEATH with SWB because the brain has already been oxygen deprived coupled with warm water as in swimming pools, hastening brain death.
Not to seem insensitive, but only a certain population does some crap (that’s a ‘nicer’ word). To each his own but it seems like the excitement of proposing got the better of him. Newly wed fritters last 6 months or less. Don’t go overboard (no pun intended).
RIP, but Indian ocean sharks have a different sentiment.
Wazungu!!! They do crappie stuff. What difference does it make proposing over a dinner table and under the water…the answer will either be yes or a no in both cases.
The top part of the article is not accurate. In adults, it happens because atmospheric pressure is still present within a few feet of water depth. So when you hold your breath too long in shallow water, and you have pressure on your ear drums, you’re liable to lose consciousness quickly and then sink like a rock. What I don’t understand is why you quit breathing when you have an oxygen tank? (no scientific knowledge, just application).
The second part, anybody that has kids that swim goes through that supervision class. That’s why you can’t stop watching them especially at the beach.
Because CO2 rising (hypercarbia) is what triggers a breath, faster than hypoxia. If one had hyperventilated prior (decreasing CO2), that stimulus to breath doesn’t kick in.
She’s gotten her life lesson, that’s all we can conclude. The next time, she’ll tell the next sucker to tape a note on a goats mouth and him chase it until it can deliver the proposal note to her. Tell the poor fellow that if he kneels, villagers are going to beat sense to him.
Kana they go to St. Martin, Seyschlles… make a vacation out of it! No surfing or snorkeling proposals for Gods sake. Keep it to where the girl can save him if he get overwhelmed.