DATELINE :- 21st July 2000
HAHN DIES
Accident claims dive gear developer
The rebreather community was shocked to learn of the death of Dr Max Hahn, while using an Inspiration in Germany.
Hahn, 72, a key figure in the setting of diving gear standards, was subjected to a rapid ascent, according to his buddy, after becoming entangled in a lifting bag as he deployed it. His depth is not known, but he was 80 minutes into a dive that required a decompression stop.
After surfacing with the bag, Hahn was conscious and asked his buddy, Inspiration instructor Jurgen Mathias, to remove his weightbelt. Mathias could not and Hahn, unable to inject enough gas into his wing BC to keep himself buoyant, sank from view. Mathias could not get him back to the surface and, by the time he was recovered, Hahn had drowned.
Hahn's oxygen cylinder was reported to have contained 15 bar of gas but to have its valve closed. Highly expert with the unit, he might have decided to preserve gas at depth before turning it back on for his ascent. Caught out by the rapid ascent, his failure to do so would have reduced his ability to inflate his BC at the surface.
Trained as a physicist, Hahn, with his son Bernhard, contributed greatly to the development of computer algorithms for repetitive diving. He was also chairman of several European CEN standardisation committees governing development of diving equipment, including open-circuit regulators, rebreathers, suits and BCs.
Hahn, one of the first users of the Inspiration, was described as its "number one fan" by Martin Parker, MD of manufacturer AP Valves. Maritime engineer Ian Himmens, who shared committee work with Hahn over the years, said his academic knowledge and passion for diving made him immensely valuable.
"He understood divers' needs and would make sure all relevant aspects were discussed," Himmens told Diver. "He was affable, passionate about his job and would not let things go through without a really good going-over."