Cooper River Diving Tragedy
The diving community is mourning the loss of Mark Beckler, 55, of Arlington, Virginia, who died during a dive in South Carolina’s Cooper River last week.
Beckler, described by authorities as an experienced diver, was exploring with three others when he failed to resurface on schedule. The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard launched an extensive search. His body was discovered two days later, nearly two miles from the entry point, underscoring the powerful currents that make this river a challenging dive environment.
Authorities have not yet released an official cause of death. While investigations are ongoing, this tragedy underscores how unpredictable and hazardous river diving conditions can be.
This case highlights the reality that even seasoned divers can be overcome by conditions such as low visibility, entanglement risks, and strong river currents. Similar risks were evident in a 2024 Lake Michigan case where diver Patrick Kelly, 72, was recovered at a depth of 125 feet after failing to return from a wreck dive.
Lessons for Divers-
Plan for currents: Always evaluate river strength and set clear entry and exit strategies.
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Maintain buddy contact: In murky or fast-moving waters, stay within arm’s reach.
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Carry signaling devices: Surface marker buoys (SMBs), whistles, and strobes can make the difference in an emergency.
Organizations like Divers Alert Network (DAN) emphasize that dive planning, environmental awareness, and staying within personal training limits are critical to preventing tragedies.
As the diving community reflects on Beckler’s loss, his story serves as a reminder: safety must always come first — on every dive, every time.
Learn More About Dive Safety
The best way to honor divers we’ve lost is by diving smarter and safer. Explore these trusted resources:
References
The Scuba News. (2025, September 24). Virginia diver identified after fatal incident in South Carolina’s Cooper River. Retrieved from https://www.thescubanews.com/2025/09/24/virginia-diver-identified-after-fatal-incident-in-south-carolinas-cooper-river/#:~:text=Authorities%20in%20South%20Carolina%20have,old%20from%20Arlington%2C%20Virginia
Ortiz, A. (2024, September 11). Body of missing Lake Michigan diver found offshore from southeast Wisconsin. CBS News. Retrieved from https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/missing-diver-body-found-wisconsin/#:~:text=Authorities%20identified%20the%20diver%20as,Kelly%2C%20of%20Winthrop%20Harbor%2C%20Illinois
TDI / SDI. (n.d.). Dive Safe: 10 essential rules for scuba diving and freediving. International Training. Retrieved from https://www.tdisdi.com/sdi-diver-news/dive-safe-10-essential-rules-for-scuba-diving-and-freediving/#:~:text=2
Gillespie, A. (n.d.). Top 10 scuba diving rules and safety measures. Scuba Diving. Retrieved from https://www.scubadiving.com/training/basic-skills/10-new-rules-scuba-diving#:~:text=New%20Rule
Divers Alert Network. (n.d.). Diving safety tips. Divers Alert Network. Retrieved September 25, 2025, from https://dan.org/health-medicine/health-resources/dive-safety/diving-safety-tips/
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