Provisional report on diving-related fatalities in Australian waters 2006.

INTRODUCTION

An individual case review of diving-related deaths reported as occurring in Australia in 2006 was conducted as part of the Divers Alert Network Asia-Pacific (DAN AP) dive fatality reporting project.

METHOD

The case studies were compiled using reports from witnesses, the police and coroners. In each case, the particular circumstances of the accident and details from the post-mortem examination, where available, are provided.

RESULTS

In total, there were 16 reported fatalities (eight fewer than 2005), all involving males. Ten deaths occurred while snorkelling and/or breath-hold diving and six while scuba diving, one of which involved the use of a closed-circuit rebreather. One death resulted from an encounter with a stingray and two involved scuba divers diving alone after an extended absence from diving. Cardiac-related issues were thought likely to have contributed to the deaths of six snorkel divers and one scuba diver.

CONCLUSIONS

Trauma from a marine creature, snorkelling or diving alone and pre-existing medical conditions once again featured in several deaths in this series.