Stephen Keenan (16 June 1982 – 22 July 2017) was an Irish freedivingsafety diver and co-owner at Dahab Freedivers.[1] He held several Irish national freediving records[2][3] and was aChief of Safetyat various freediving events such asVertical Blue Freediving Competitions.[4][5]
Keenan died during a rescue in an attempt to assist freediverAlessia Zecchini to the surface from a depth of 50 metres inDahab'sBlue Hole in 2017.[6] It was the first recorded death of a safety diver in action in freediving history.[2]
Keenan discovered freediving while he was holidaying in Dahab, Egypt in 2009. He later relocated to Dahab, became a freediving instructor, and trained hundreds of students in Egypt,Spain, and thePhilippines.[9] In 2015, Keenan co-founded Dahab Freedivers with fellow freediversMiguel Lozano and Pascal Berger.[4] That same year, he attained his career-best dive with a monofin to 81 metres (267 feet).[2]
On 22 July 2017,[10] Keenan died while assisting a dive byAlessia Zecchini. Zecchini was attempting to cross theBlue Hole on a single breath, but became disorientated when Keenan was 20 seconds late to arrive at a meeting point. She swam astray but reached the surface after Keenan reached her to resume guiding. Keenan, though, lost consciousness and was found floating face down nearby.[3][6][11] Despite repeated attempts to save his life, he could not be revived.[2]
According to theIrish Independent, "Keenan suffered an in-water blackout in the last 10 meters of the ascent.[5] He was alive when he was recovered from the water but died a short time later."[8]
The Deepest Breath is a 2023 documentary directed by Laura McGann. The film tells the story of Alessia Zecchini and Keenan,[12] covering their relationship, careers in the sport, and Keenan's death.[6]
