Citation

Lippmann J, Lawrence C, Fock AW, Wodak T, Jamieson S, Harris R, Walker D. Diving Hyperb. Med. 2015; 45(3): 154-175.

Affiliation

Retired general practitioner, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society and European Underwater and Baromedical Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

26415067

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: An individual case review was conducted of known diving-related deaths that occurred in Australia in 2010.

METHOD: The case studies were compiled using statements from witnesses and reports of the police and coroners. In each case, the particular circumstances of the accident and details from the post-mortem examination, where available, are provided. A root cause analysis was made for each case.

RESULTS: There were 20 reported fatalities, one less than the previous year. Five of the victims were female (four scuba divers) and 15 were males. Twelve deaths occurred while snorkelling and/or breath-hold diving, seven while scuba diving (one of whom was using a rebreather), and one diver died while using surface supplied breathing apparatus. At least two breath-hold divers likely drowned as a result of apnoeic hypoxia. Cardiac-related issues were thought to have contributed to the deaths of at least three and possibly five snorkellers, and of at least one, possibly two compressed gas divers.

CONCLUSIONS: Snorkelling or diving alone, poor supervision, apnoeic hypoxia, pre-existing medical conditions, lack of recent experience and unfamiliar and/or poorly-functioning equipment were features in several deaths in this series. Reducing delays to CT-scanning and autopsy and coroners' reports documenting that the victim of a drowning was snorkelling or scuba diving at the time are aspects of the investigation of these fatalities that could be improved.

Language: en