title: Provisional report on diving-related fatalities in Australian waters 2003.
abstract: An individual case review of the diving-related deaths that were reported to have occurred in Australia in 2003 was conducted as part of the combined Project Stickybeak/DAN Asia-Pacific dive fatality reporting project. The case studies were compiled using reports from witnesses, the police and coroners. In each case, the particular circumstances of the accident are provided, as well as details from the post mortem examination, where available. In total there were 22 reported fatalities, 18 men and four women. Twelve deaths occurred while snorkelling and/or breath-hold diving, nine while scuba diving and one while using surface-supply breathing apparatus. Cardiac-related issues were thought to have contributed to the deaths of six snorkel divers (50%) and four scuba divers (44%) in this series. There were three deaths in breath-hold divers likely to have been associated with apnoeic hypoxia blackout. Inexperience, time away from diving and lack of common sense were features in several scuba deaths.
authors: Principal researcher for Project Stickybeak since its inception in 1972 and was a founder member of SPUMS and Editor of the SPUMS Journal from 1974 to 1990. He is now retired from general and diving medical practice but continues an active involvement in the investigation and reporting of diving fatalities, E-mail: diverhealth@hotmail.com.
authors: Douglas
authors: D
authors: Walker
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Lippmann