Provisional report on diving-related fatalities in Australian waters 2005.

INTRODUCTION

An individual case review of diving-related deaths reported as occurring in Australia in 2005 was conducted as part of the DAN Asia-Pacific 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 24 reported fatalities, comprising four females and 20 males. Fourteen deaths occurred while snorkelling and/or breath-hold diving, nine while scuba diving, and one while using surface-supply breathing apparatus. Four deaths from large marine animal attacks were recorded. Once again, cardiac-related issues were thought to have contributed to some deaths: five snorkel divers and at least two but possibly up to four scuba divers. Three of the deaths in breath-hold divers were likely to have been associated with apnoeic hypoxia blackout.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-existing medical conditions, trauma from marine creatures and snorkelling or diving alone were features in several deaths in this series.