Diving-related fatalities in Victoria, Australia, 2000 to 2022.

Abstract

Introduction: The aim was to examine the diving-related fatalities in Victoria, Australia from 2000 to 2022, identify trends and assess existing and potential countermeasures.

Methods: The National Coronial Information System and the Australasian Diving Safety Foundation (ADSF) database were searched to identify compressed gas diving and snorkelling/breath-hold diving deaths in Victoria for 2000-2022, inclusive. Data were extracted and analysed, and chain of events analyses conducted.

Results: Thirty-six scuba divers, one diver using surface supplied breathing apparatus (SSBA) and 25 snorkellers/breath-hold divers were identified. Compressed gas divers were older than snorkellers (medians 47 vs 36 years) with a higher proportion being overweight or obese (89% vs 61%), half with pre-existing medical conditions which likely contributed to their deaths. Most snorkellers died from primary drowning, often associated with inexperience. Half of all victims were inexperienced, and more than half of the accidents occurred while diving for seafood, often in rough conditions. Only one third of victims were with a buddy at the time of their accident. Of those known to be wearing weights, three-quarters were still wearing them when found.

Conclusions: Diving medical assessment in divers aged 45 years or older needs to be strengthened and obesity should trigger medical assessment in older divers. Other identified risks included seafood collection, diving in adverse conditions, ineffective or no buddy system, overweighting, poor buoyancy control and failure to ditch weights. Many are longstanding problems, so relevant messages are still not penetrating the community. Constant reinforcement through formal training, internet forums and targeted educational campaigns is required.