Stephen Keenan
Stephen Keenan was an Irish freediver and safety diver from Dublin, born in 1977 and killed in Dahab, Egypt, in 2017.
Stephen Keenan was an Irish freediver and safety diver who died in 2017 while attempting a rescue in Dahab's Blue Hole. He was known for his safety work at competitions and for holding Irish national freediving records.
Who was Stephen Keenan?
Born in Glasnevin, Dublin on 1 December 1977, Keenan became a competitive freediver and later specialized as a safety diver. He co-owned Dahab Freedivers and served as chief of safety at major events like Vertical Blue.
Key details of his freediving career
Keenan set multiple Irish national records in depth freediving. He was widely respected in the freediving community for his skill and dedication to safety, often putting himself at risk to protect other divers.
Why his death matters
On 22 July 2017, Keenan died while trying to rescue fellow freediver Alessia Zecchini in the Blue Hole. His death highlighted the extreme risks safety divers face and sparked discussions about safety protocols in competitive freediving.
In short
- Irish freediver and safety diver from Dublin
- Co-owner of Dahab Freedivers and safety lead at events
- Held multiple Irish national freediving records
- Died during a rescue attempt in the Blue Hole in 2017
Quick questions
Who was Stephen Keenan?
When was Stephen Keenan born?
How did Stephen Keenan die?
Sources
- IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12004836/Supports: Birth and death dates; Irish birthplace; basic biographical facts.
- DeeperBlue — https://www.deeperblue.com/profile-stephen-keenan/Supports: Birth place; Irish freediving records; career as safety diver.
- Outside — https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/water-activities/safety-diver-stephen-keenan-dies-during-rescue-dahabs-blue-hole/Supports: Death during rescue; role as safety diver; significance in freediving.
- Esquire UK — https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a44559088/the-deepest-breath-what-happened-to-diver-stephen-keenan/Supports: Co-owner of Dahab Freedivers; chief of safety at events; training and career details.
- Go-to-Ireland.com — https://www.go-to-ireland.com/culture/stephen-keenan/Supports: Irish identity; birth date; freediving career overview.