@article{ref1,
title="Formulating policies and procedures for managing diving related deaths: a whole of state engagement from frontline and hospital services in Tasmania",
journal="Diving and hyperbaric medicine",
year="2024",
author="Peters, Bernard and Price, Karl and Elliott, Elizabeth J.",
volume="54",
number="2",
pages="86-91",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Tasmania is a small island state off the southern edge of Australia where a comparatively high proportion of the 558,000 population partake in recreational or occupational diving. While diving is a relatively safe sport and occupation, Tasmania has a significantly higher diving death rate per head of population than other States in Australia (four times the national diving mortality rate). <br><br>METHODS: Three compressed gas diving deaths occurred in seven months between 2021-2022 prompting a review of the statewide approach for the immediate response of personnel to diving-related deaths. The review engaged first responders including the Police Marine and Rescue Service, hospital-based departments including the Department of Hyperbaric and Diving Medicine, and the mortuary and coroner's office. <br><br>RESULTS: An aide-mémoire for all craft groups, digitalised checklists for first responders (irrespective of diving knowledge), and a single-paged algorithm to highlight inter-agency communication pathways in the event of a diving death were designed to enhance current practices and collaboration. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: If used, these aids for managing diving related deaths should ensure that time-critical information is appropriately captured and stored to optimise information provided for the coronial investigation.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1833-3516",
doi="10.28920/dhm54.2.86-91",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.28920/dhm54.2.86-91"
}