Parents Sue Texas Dive Shop After 12-Year-Old Daughter Drowns During Scuba Class
TERRELL, Texas — The grieving parents of 12-year-old Dylan Harrison have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against a local dive shop and its associated scuba training facility following her tragic drowning during a private open water scuba certification class last August. The lawsuit, filed in early February, contends that the death was entirely preventable and points to alleged negligence by the instructors and staff at Scubatoys and The Scuba Ranch in Terrell, Texas.
On August 16, 2025, Dylan Harrison attended a class purchased by her parents from Scubatoys, a dive shop that arranged for her to be trained at The Scuba Ranch. According to court documents, the family was informed that Dylan would be grouped with seven other students for the session. Prior to the class, the divemaster reportedly assured the parents, “I will not take my eyes off your daughter,” a statement now scrutinized amid the tragic outcome.
Disturbingly, the lawsuit reveals that Dylan was found with air still in her scuba tank, suggesting she remained alive and breathing underwater for several minutes after going missing during the class. This detail raises serious questions about the supervision and emergency response protocols in place during the session.
The incident has drawn attention to safety standards in recreational scuba training, especially for minors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasize the importance of proper supervision and adherence to safety guidelines to prevent drowning incidents. Furthermore, the U.S. Coast Guard provides oversight and recommendations for water safety and recreational boating, including scuba diving activities.
Scuba certification classes typically follow strict protocols established by recognized organizations such as the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), both of which require constant supervision and immediate response capability to ensure diver safety. The lawsuit alleges that these standards were not met during Dylan’s class.
Local authorities have not released detailed findings from any investigations, but the Harrison family’s legal action underscores a demand for accountability and improved safety measures in youth scuba instruction. The tragic loss of Dylan Harrison has sparked calls within the diving community to review policies and training practices to prevent future incidents.
As the case proceeds, it is likely to prompt scrutiny of dive shops and training centers nationwide regarding their adherence to safety standards, especially when working with children. Meanwhile, the Harrison family continues to seek justice for their daughter, hoping that their lawsuit will lead to enhanced protections for young divers everywhere.
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