I used to live in the Florida Keys. It is really really common for people to die while diving or snorkeling - usually those who were diving suffered some kind of equipment problem, which those snorkeling often pass away from a heart attack. When I was there I'd go out with a friend of mine on his boat and we'd salvage - dive gear that sank to the bottom, like dive weights, and propellers from boats, etc. We'd also collect dead sea life, like sea biscuits and empty horse conch shells to sell to the tourists. When we dove, we used a 'hookah' system - an air compressor on the boat that has an air hose connected to it that went to the regulator. We always felt that this was much safer than using dive tanks, and we never had a problem. Also, please remember that these islands are small, and resources are limited - especially news sources. Summerland key is tiny! There's also the 'these islands are our home, and we'll deal with our own issues - if we need your help we'll call you - don't call us'. That mentality is part of which made me feel so safe and secure there; I knew I could always count on my community no matter what happened. People had no secrets there; if you had a problem, you tell the bartender at the Brass Monkey, and he tells everybody on the island. Then everyone knows what you're dealing with and they'll help you through it. Suffice to say people there are honest, and very hard-working. I suspect this poor woman is on the bottom of the sea someplace, and honestly, the currents there can be strong so it may have been taken quite a ways away. Also, just after the reef the ocean gets very, very deep quickly; but as I always say, if the water is over your head that's all that matters. Always remember that when you're in the ocean you're not at the top of the food chain anymore - you're at the very bottom. Well, I know people are looking for her and if they can possibly save her, they will certainly try. My feeling though is that she is deceased, and that her body will probably float to the surface in a week or so, and a fisherman will most likely find it.
