Diver who lost legs: ‘I’m trying to make a sad situation into a positive’
January 29th, 2009 by TCPalm.comWEST PALM BEACH — Rob Murphy loves talking about his spearfishing adventures. Since earning his scuba diving certification last year, he estimates he has made almost 400 dives.
But Murphy will never forget his last dive on Jan. 9 when while surfacing in waters northeast of the St. Lucie Inlet, Murphy was struck by a passing boat. The boat operated by Roger Nicosia, an emergency room physician at Martin Memorial Medical Center North, severed Murphy’s legs.
Murphy lost nearly half his blood. He was lucky to escape with his life, and doctors couldn’t save his legs.
The accident has become a call to action for divers everywhere.
On Saturday, boat ramps around Florida — including Sandsprit Park in Stuart — will have volunteers to educate boaters and anglers about dive flag safety laws. Volunteers also will have a petition that organizers hope to present to Gov. Charlie Crist to create an official state “Dive Flag Awareness Day.”
Murphy has become an icon for a movement that he hopes will save divers’ lives.
“Divers, boaters and fishermen share a tight space over reefs and wrecks,” said Murphy, 26, of Palm Beach Gardens. “There are close calls between divers and boaters every day out there. I never thought it would happen to me. Now, I’m trying to make a sad situation into a positive.”
Since that day, Murphy has been working hard to rebuild his life.
Instead of filleting his catches and posting tales and photos on fishing Web sites, Murphy works through occupational therapy to learn how to perform daily activities he once did effortlessly. Another 90 minutes a day is spent in physical therapy building his strength and dexterity.
Through the pain and frustration, Murphy keeps his focus on one goal — one day returning to the water.
“Once I heal completely, I hope to be able to get out and at least drive the boat for my friends until I learn how to dive again,” he said.
His attitude has become an inspiration for the diving community. On Spearboard.com, the thread about Murphy’s accident has eclipsed 51,000 views and 500 posts. Murphy and his family are communicating with well-wishers and admit the outpouring of thoughts and prayers is overwhelming, but uplifting.
Murphy is grateful he is alive. He credits his fellow divers that day for keeping him around to perhaps one day spearfish again.
Quick action by them prevented Murphy from dying of blood loss. He said a tourniquet kept him from dying before Martin County emergency personnel could stabilize him for the helicopter ride to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach.
Murphy’s mother Sandy Shafer remembers the stomach-racking phone call with the news of the accident.
“I was in Publix when they called to tell me what happened,” she recalled. “I rushed into the St. Mary’s (emergency room) and screamed, ‘Please save his legs.’ A nurse just shook her head, ‘No.’”
Murphy’s parents, sister and fellow divers will be at Sandsprit Park in Stuart — the site where Murphy was picked up by helicopter and taken to St. Mary’s.
“If we can keep this from happening to one more diver — if we can prevent one diver’s loved ones from receiving a phone call like I did — it will make this effort worthwhile,” Shafer said.
ROB MURPHY RECOVERY TRUST
To donate to Murphy’s recovery, visit Murphy Recovery Trust
DIVE FLAG AWARENESS DAY
On Saturday, volunteers will be at boat ramps throughout the state of Florida. They will distribute educational bumper stickers and materials explaining the state’s law on dive flag buffers for boaters as well as reminding divers to remain inside those buffers. Volunteers also will have a petition that organizers hope to present to Gov. Charlie Crist to one day create an official state “Dive Flag Awareness Day.” To learn more about the day or help as a volunteer e-mail info@scuba-works.com. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is still investigating the incident.
DIVER-DOWN FLAG LAW
State law mandates a 300-foot buffer around any divers-down flag on open waters other than rivers, inlets and navigation channels. Divers must make every attempt to remain within the 300 feet area and boaters must make every attempt to remain outside of the area. In inlets, rivers and channels, the distance is 100 feet.
By Ed Killer, TCPalm.com
Tags: boat, boating, Crist, Diver, diving, driving, emergency, fish, leg, medical, mother, nurse, nursing, photos, physician, Publix, Rob Murphy, robbed, safety, volunteer, volunteers, web
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January 29th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
I didn’t know Rob but I worked in the same work building as him. I’ve ran into him a couple of times, and he came off as such a nice guy. It’s so tragic as to what has happened to him. I hope one day that he gets the chance to go out and dive again.
Rob, my prayers go out for you!! Keep positive!!
January 29th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
The donation link above isn’t working. Here it is: http://www.spearboard.com/donate.html
Rob, you are a true champion!
January 30th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
What an inspiration Rob Murphy is!!! It is unbelievable that through all the pain and suffering he has endured that he still has a positive attitude and a willingness to help others. He is my HERO. You are in my prayers. Jill
March 19th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
To a family I considered practically own. My heart and prayers go out to you every day. Rob we will see you in the water sooner than you know it. much love to the whole family.