Provisional report on diving-related fatalities in Australian waters in 2012.

INTRODUCTION

An individual case review of known diving-related deaths that occurred in Australia in 2012 was conducted.

METHOD: The case studies were compiled using statements from witnesses and reports of 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

There were 26 reported fatalities (four less than the previous year). Only two of the victims were female (one snorkeller and one scuba diver). Fourteen deaths occurred while snorkelling and/or breath-hold diving, 11 while scuba diving and one diver died while using surface supplied breathing apparatus in a commercial pearl diving setting. Two breath-hold divers likely drowned as a result of apnoeic hypoxia. Cardiac-related issues were thought to have contributed to the deaths of at least three and possibly seven snorkellers and four scuba divers.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-existing medical conditions; poor organisation, planning and supervision; equipment-related problems; snorkelling or diving alone or with loose buddy oversight and apnoeic hypoxia were features in several deaths in this series.