Skin diving fatalities in New Zealand.

A review of skin diving fatalities in New Zealand for the period 1961--1973 revealed 28 deaths of which 21 were scuba divers. Two-thirds of the scuba deaths occurred in water less than 15m deep. Running out of air and lack of essential equipment were frequent contributory factors. The pathological findings are presented and show drowning to be the most common mode of death. Some deficiences in the assessment of these fatalities are discussed.