Provisional Report on Diving-related Fatalities in Australian Waters 2005

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.