Underwater cave diving fatalities in Florida: a review and analysis.
Although no formal accident data reference system exists, the cave diving deaths in Florida from 1962-1991 and 1995-July 1996 (data for 1992-1994 were unavailable) is reviewed. These cases reveal that the number of diver fatalities is cyclical in nature with a periodicity of eight years. Because we are currently only a year past the cycle low, this analysis allows predictions to be made that indicate a rise in fatalities over the next five to seven year period. This study reveals that a lack of experience and failure to follow proper safety precautions are the leading causes of fatalities in cave diving accidents. A one page accident information reporting form is proposed to aid in the initial and accurate reporting of a fatality and to standardize data collection for future research.
Byrd
J H
JH
Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
Hamilton
W F
WF
D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D004242:Diving / Q000293:injuries*; D004332:Drowning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010507:Periodicity; D015996:Survival Rate