LAGUNA BEACH, CA — A lone scuba diver was identified this week following his drowning death off the shore of Laguna Beach. Joseph Noah, 57, of Forestport, N.Y., was found unresponsive Saturday by scuba divers in the area of Shaw’s Cove, according to reports from the OC Register.

His family has started a fundraiser in an effort to bring his body home to New York, and free his beloved dog from a shelter.

On Nov. 16, three scuba divers attempted found Noah unresponsive in the water, and attempted to revive him. Laguna Beach veterinarian Matt Wheaton was paddleboarding nearby when Noah’s body was discovered.

Wheaton paddled toward the scuba divers who were “holding him up and breathing for him,” the Register reported. He then paddled Noah’s body to shore, while others called 911.

Noah was pronounced dead at nearby Mission Hospital at 10 a.m.

The coroner has listed his cause of death as “saltwater drowning in the ocean while scuba diving.”
Laguna Beach Lifeguard Capt. Kai Bond said Noah was diving alone that day.

“Witnesses saw (Noah) entering the water by himself,” Bond said. “If you are snorkeling or scuba diving, always go with a buddy. Never swim alone.”

It was the second drowning off Laguna Beach in seven weeks. Bond has stated this is a reminder of the dangers of diving.

In late September, a free-diver, drowned off the shores of Laguna Beach while fishing for lobster. Ryan Huff, an experienced diver, was thought to have “had a shallow water blackout,” according to the Register.

Huff’s wife, Diane, told the Register: “The ocean doesn’t spare anyone, no matter how safe you are, even for all the invincible guys out there. It can happen.”

A GoFundMe campaign for the Huff family has raised nearly $30,000 since September.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established for Noah’s wife, Gwen and their dog, Ranbo.

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