title: Provisional report on diving-related fatalities in Australian waters 2004.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An individual case review of diving-related deaths reported to have occurred in Australia in 2004 was conducted as part of the DAN Asia-Pacific dive fatality reporting project.
  
  
  METHODS
  The case studies were compiled using reports from witnesses, the police and coroners. In each case, the particular circumstances of the accident are provided, and also details from the post-mortem examination, where available.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, there were 22 reported fatalities, all male. Nine deaths occurred while snorkelling and/or breath-hold diving, 10 while scuba diving, one just prior to scuba diving, one while using surface-supply breath apparatus and one while diving with a rebreather. In this series, cardiac-related issues were thought to have contributed to the deaths of five snorkel divers and three scuba divers, and in one person who was about to go diving. Three of the deaths in breath-hold divers were likely to have been associated with apnoeic hypoxia blackout.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pre-existing medical conditions, inexperience, time away from diving, inadequate supervision, and diving without appropriate training were features in several scuba deaths in this series.
authors: Principal researcher for Project Stickybeak since its inception in 1972, a founder member of SPUMS and Editor of the SPUMS Journal from 1974 to 1990.
authors: Douglas
authors: D
authors: Walker
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Lippmann
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Lawrence
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Huston
authors: Andrew
authors: A
authors: Fock