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.
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.
Authors: John Lippmann; Christopher Stevenson; David McD Taylor; Jo Williams; Mohammadreza Mohebbi Journal: Diving Hyperb Med Date: 2017-09 Impact factor: 0.887
Authors: John Lippmann; David McD Taylor; Christopher Stevenson; Jo Williams; Simon J Mitchell Journal: Diving Hyperb Med Date: 2017-09 Impact factor: 0.887