Scuba Instructor Was Awake for 29 Hours Before 12-Year-Old's Fatal Drowning
A scuba diving instructor in Texas has reportedly confessed to investigators that he had been awake for nearly 30 consecutive hours at the time a 12-year-old girl drowned during one of his classes. The tragic incident occurred in August 2025 at The Scuba Ranch, a training facility located in Terrell, Texas.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Dylan Harrison, aged 12, was participating in a scuba diving lesson when she tragically lost her life. According to reports from Fox 4 News, Harrison was part of a class of eight students being instructed by William Armstrong. During the session, Harrison went missing, and her body was later discovered at a depth of 45 feet in the water.
An affidavit obtained by Fox 4 News reveals that Armstrong admitted to having "been awake straight for approximately 29 hours, working three jobs" when the drowning took place. This severe sleep deprivation raises significant concerns about his ability to ensure student safety during the high-risk activity.
Safety Failures and Investigation Findings
The investigative document indicates multiple safety failures surrounding the incident. When rescue officials arrived at the scene, Armstrong was reportedly standing on the dock without any diving gear, and no one was actively searching for Harrison in the water at that time.
Furthermore, investigators collected Harrison's dive watch, which suggested she was not properly weighted for the dive. Proper weighting is a crucial safety measure in scuba diving that helps divers control their buoyancy and manage their descent and ascent speeds, according to Scuba Diving International standards.
Legal Consequences and Professional Fallout
William Armstrong was arrested on February 6, 2026, and charged with injury to a child. He was released after posting a $150,000 bond and made no comments to reporters as he departed the Kaufman County Jail.
Armstrong has faced significant professional consequences following the incident. He has been "permanently suspended" from teaching at The Scuba Ranch. Additionally, he has resigned from his position as an assistant chief deputy at the Collin County Sheriff's Office, where he had been employed.
Response from The Scuba Ranch
In a statement provided to Fox 4 News in October 2025, a spokesperson for The Scuba Ranch expressed the organization's commitment to cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. "We pray this family receives the answers, justice, and closure they deserve, and that all of the dive community would be strengthened through what we learn from this tragedy," the spokesperson stated.
The Independent has reached out to The Scuba Ranch and an attorney representing Harrison's family for further comment. At this time, no attorney has been identified for William Armstrong in connection with this case.
This tragic incident highlights critical safety concerns within recreational diving instruction and underscores the importance of proper rest and adherence to safety protocols for those responsible for supervising minors in potentially dangerous activities.
