Tragedy at Devil’s Ear: The Mysterious Death of Diver Shannon Lewis
| Incident Location | Diver Full Name |
|---|---|
| United States, Florida, Ginnie Springs, Devil’s Ear | Shannon Lewis |
It was a warm summer morning when a dive instructor and his student checked in at the Ginnie Springs desk.
The student was enrolled in a Basic Cave course, and as part of standard procedure, both signed a liability waiver.
They completed two short training dives earlier in the morning. Their gear was in good condition — diving suits zipped up, diving masks adjusted, diving computers strapped to their wrists, and diving tanks filled.
At nearly the same time, Shannon Lewis, 20 years old, walked into a local dive shop. She rented diving gear, got her tanks filled with 32% nitrox, and then made her way to the springs. She registered at the desk as a Basic Cave diver.
The Unplanned (or Planned) Meeting
At the site, Shannon met the instructor and his student.
Whether they planned to dive together is still disputed. The instructor had been Shannon’s teacher when she completed her Basic Cave certification the previous December, so they knew each other well.
Entering the Water
All three entered the water by the steps leading to the springs.
They went through their pre-dive safety drills — checking tank pressure, adjusting buoyancy, making sure masks sealed properly.
The water was clear but carried a strong pull toward the cave’s mouth.
After the checks, they began their journey to the Devil’s Ear.
The Devil’s Ear — The Cave Entrance
The Devil’s Ear is a vertical chimney that drops to about 50 feet before sloping toward the cave’s main line.
Structure Overview:
| Feature | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chimney Entrance | 0–50 ft | Vertical descent into cavern |
| Gentle Slope to Main Line | ~60 ft distance | Leads to stop sign area |
| Stop Sign | ~70 ft | Marks start of cave penetration |
| Deco Log | ~18 ft | Horizontal log used for safety stops |
At the top, about 18 feet down (depending on the river level), lies the deco log — a thick, waterlogged tree trunk that divers often hold onto during decompression or safety stops.
The Descent Begins
With their fins breaking the surface, the three divers slipped under, following the narrow chimney down. The sunlight dimmed quickly, swallowed by the cave walls.
The diving computers on their wrists kept track of depth and time. The sound of their breathing through regulators echoed in the small space, mixing with the low roar of the current.
The Devil’s Ear is known for its strong flow — it pushes outward, forcing divers to kick steadily just to stay in position. Every movement stirred up tiny particles in the water, making the descent feel like drifting through faint underwater dust.
The stop sign at 70 feet loomed ahead, warning divers of the dangers beyond.
The student led the dive, moving steadily into the sloped section toward the cave’s main line.
Shannon Lewis followed closely behind, and the instructor took the rear position, monitoring them both.
The cave’s flow was strong, pressing against their bodies as they swam. The beam from their dive lights cut through the dark water, bouncing off the limestone walls.
The Signal Underwater
Just before reaching the main line, the student caught a flashing light signal in his peripheral vision.
He turned to see Shannon, her light aimed at him, tapping the side of her dive mask and pointing to her ear — the universal underwater sign for ear trouble. It usually meant she was struggling to equalize the pressure.
The student swam back toward the chimney entrance. He paused just outside, watching as the instructor moved forward to assist Shannon.
At the Chimney
The instructor’s diving computer later recorded his descent all the way to the chimney’s base.
He said he looked up and saw Shannon at the deco log — about 18 feet below the surface — holding on. She turned toward him, waved, and gave what seemed to be a reassuring signal, telling him it was okay to continue.
Trusting the signal, the instructor rejoined the student, and together they pressed forward with their training dive.
The Surface Discovery
When the training dive ended, the two men surfaced, breaking through the rippling water into the warm Florida air.
But Shannon was not there.
Within moments, they learned that other divers had found her unresponsive at the deco log. She had been pulled from the water and rushed to the hospital.
The Investigation
Authorities arrived quickly. Police began interviewing witnesses and collecting statements.
In the process, they opened Shannon’s car. Inside, they discovered prescription medications — treatments for inner ear infections in both ears.
Shannon remained in the hospital for several days. Her condition did not improve. Eventually, she died from the incident.
The incident sparked a heated debate among cave divers. Questions about responsibility and liability quickly surfaced.
Some argued that because Shannon Lewis had previously been a student of the instructor, he should have been responsible for her safety during the dive. Instructors leading students carry strict legal and ethical duties, which differ greatly from diving alongside a certified diver who is not part of the training group.
Lewis’ Status on the Day
Records from her certifications and the waiver she signed that morning indicate a different story.
On June 14, 2008, Shannon was not a registered student for the training dive. All paperwork labeled her as a solo diver, merely following the instructor and the student during their dive.
This distinction became a major point of discussion. Legally and procedurally, her status changed what could have been expected of the instructor.
Diving Gear and Safety Considerations
Shannon had the proper diving suit, mask, tanks, and diving computer. Her nitrox tanks were filled to 32%, appropriate for the depth of Devil’s Ear.
Still, some experts wondered if her inner ear issues, combined with the strong currents of the cave and her position in the group, made the dive riskier than it appeared.
Divers debated:
- Could she have managed a solo dive at this depth safely?
- Did the flow of the Devil’s Ear make a difference to her ear equalization?
- Did the instructor have any legal or ethical duty toward her given the circumstances?
Following the Group
All indications are that Shannon was following the training group, not actively participating as a student.
Her lights stayed behind the lead diver, and her signals — including the ear-equalization tap — were noticed only at a distance.
The cave’s vertical chimney and the slope toward the main line meant that a diver struggling with ear pressure could quickly be separated from the group, even if they were technically nearby.
