Julie Vinkel1, Peter Bak2, Ole Hyldegaard2. 1. Hyperbaric Medicine Centre, Department of Anesthesiology and Surgery, Head and Orthopedic Centre, Rigshospitalet 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. julievinkel@gmail.com. 2. Hyperbaric Medicine Centre, Department of Anesthesiology and Surgery, Head and Orthopedic Centre, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
AIM: The purpose was to explore causative tendencies among diving fatalities to prevent similar injuries in the future. METHODS: We report 33 fatal diving injuries that occurred among Danish divers during the period 1999-2012 in Scandinavian waters. The study was performed as a retrospective overview. The empiric data consists of police reports, forensic autopsy reports and examination of the diving equipment. Data were assembled and analyzed using Pivot and Excel. Frequencies and means (± SD) were used to describe categorical and continuous variables respectively. RESULTS: The mean age was 38.9 years and drowning was considered the cause of death in 24 of 28 divers for whom a diagnosis was possible. Elevated body mass index (18 of 22 divers had a BMI 〉 25) was overrepresented in our group compared to the background population. A drysuit was worn by 17 divers. Diving independently of a dive centre and mishandling of buoyancy aids were common risk factors. Only two divers released their weights. Three-quarters of those who did not would have increased their chance of survival by doing so; nevertheless, in a quarter of cases the weights were not readily releasable or not releasable at all. CONCLUSION: Unfamiliarity with drysuit diving, lack of a diving buddy and mismanagement of weights were important contributors to diving injuries.
AIM: The purpose was to explore causative tendencies among diving fatalities to prevent similar injuries in the future. METHODS: We report 33 fatal diving injuries that occurred among Danish divers during the period 1999-2012 in Scandinavian waters. The study was performed as a retrospective overview. The empiric data consists of police reports, forensic autopsy reports and examination of the diving equipment. Data were assembled and analyzed using Pivot and Excel. Frequencies and means (± SD) were used to describe categorical and continuous variables respectively. RESULTS: The mean age was 38.9 years and drowning was considered the cause of death in 24 of 28 divers for whom a diagnosis was possible. Elevated body mass index (18 of 22 divers had a BMI 〉 25) was overrepresented in our group compared to the background population. A drysuit was worn by 17 divers. Diving independently of a dive centre and mishandling of buoyancy aids were common risk factors. Only two divers released their weights. Three-quarters of those who did not would have increased their chance of survival by doing so; nevertheless, in a quarter of cases the weights were not readily releasable or not releasable at all. CONCLUSION: Unfamiliarity with drysuit diving, lack of a diving buddy and mismanagement of weights were important contributors to diving injuries.
Authors: David Monnot; Thierry Michot; Emmanuel Dugrenot; François Guerrero; Pierre Lafère Journal: Diving Hyperb Med Date: 2019-06-30 Impact factor: 0.887
Authors: John Lippmann; Christopher Stevenson; David McD Taylor; Jo Williams; Mohammadreza Mohebbi Journal: Diving Hyperb Med Date: 2017-09 Impact factor: 0.887