Crush
Contributor
From DAN's Annual Diving Report, 2007 ed., based on 2005 data. The results are for dive fatalities, not injuries.
Eighty-two percent of males and 80% of females were 40 years or older. The range of males was from 18-71 years, with a median of 50 years. The age range of females was 28-58 years, with a median of 43 years.
Body mass index (BMI; weight in kg divided by the squared height in meters) data available for 43 fatality victims indicated that 26% were classified as normal weight (18.5-<25.0 kg⋅m-2), 37% were overweight (25.0-<30.0 kg⋅m-2), 28% were obese (30.0-<40.0 kg⋅m-2) and nine percent were morbidly obese (≥40 kg⋅m-2).
Seventy-one of the victims were known to be certified but information on the certification level was missing in half of the cases. The half with information included one student, nine with open water certification, 13 with an advanced or specialty certification and 22 with higher certification.
Fifty-two percent had been certified 10 years or more, and 26% one year or less. This pattern can change dramatically from year to year. Evaluation of the specific risk factor is not possible based on a one year of data.
Sixty-four percent of fatal dives (53 cases) involved pleasure or sightseeing (including three wreck and one cave dive), 14% (12 cases) involved spearfishing, hunting or collecting game, 10% training and four percent (three cases) underwater photography. One diver died while retrieving an anchor, one while trying to attach a chain to a buoy, and one while surveying his sunken boat in a river.
Six cases (seven percent) occurred on the surface before diving. The median reported depth of underwater accidents was 60 fsw (18 msw). Twenty-five percent of cases occurred in 20 fsw (6 msw) or less and 25% in 100 fsw (30 msw) or deeper.
Out of 53 cases with a known sequence, 87% of deaths occurred on the first day of diving and 13% on the second to fourth day of diving. The fatal dive was the first dive of the day in 82% and the second in 18% of the 55 cases with available data.
Breathing gear and breathing gas: scuba was used in 92% of cases (n=78) and most frequently with air (82%). Nitrox was used in scuba in 10 cases and rebreathers in six cases.
Twenty-eight cases (51%) were designated as drowning, and nine cases (16%) acute heart condition. Asphyxia (eight cases), as reported by medical examiner, equates to drowning. Arterial gas embolism, lung expansion injury or extra-alveolar air syndrome were reported in five cases (nine percent). One case of sudden death was suspected to be caused by a cardiac event.
Only 14 cases (out of 167 fatalities) involved intentional solo diving. However, in very few cases did divers comply with a reasonable buddy system dive practice. In one case, a dive guide died trying to save diver who became unconscious. In several instances a buddy retrieved an unconscious diver who subsequently died, most likely from a natural disease like myocardial infarction or aneurism rupture. Most of the time victims got into trouble after separating from a buddy and there was neither witness to the accident nor help when it was needed.
The value of buddy diving cannot be judged by on this report alone. However, it is realistic to state that:
1. Reliable buddy support provides piece of mind.
2. The presence of a buddy may help to calm down a diver dealing with an emergent
event.
3. A buddy may be able to share air if needed.
4. A trained buddy may assist an unconscious diver to the surface.
5. An incompetent diver cannot be expected to provide adequate buddy support. A
dependent diver should be paired with a professional guide.
Body mass index (BMI; weight in kg divided by the squared height in meters) data available for 43 fatality victims indicated that 26% were classified as normal weight (18.5-<25.0 kg⋅m-2), 37% were overweight (25.0-<30.0 kg⋅m-2), 28% were obese (30.0-<40.0 kg⋅m-2) and nine percent were morbidly obese (≥40 kg⋅m-2).
Seventy-one of the victims were known to be certified but information on the certification level was missing in half of the cases. The half with information included one student, nine with open water certification, 13 with an advanced or specialty certification and 22 with higher certification.
Fifty-two percent had been certified 10 years or more, and 26% one year or less. This pattern can change dramatically from year to year. Evaluation of the specific risk factor is not possible based on a one year of data.
Sixty-four percent of fatal dives (53 cases) involved pleasure or sightseeing (including three wreck and one cave dive), 14% (12 cases) involved spearfishing, hunting or collecting game, 10% training and four percent (three cases) underwater photography. One diver died while retrieving an anchor, one while trying to attach a chain to a buoy, and one while surveying his sunken boat in a river.
Six cases (seven percent) occurred on the surface before diving. The median reported depth of underwater accidents was 60 fsw (18 msw). Twenty-five percent of cases occurred in 20 fsw (6 msw) or less and 25% in 100 fsw (30 msw) or deeper.
Out of 53 cases with a known sequence, 87% of deaths occurred on the first day of diving and 13% on the second to fourth day of diving. The fatal dive was the first dive of the day in 82% and the second in 18% of the 55 cases with available data.
Breathing gear and breathing gas: scuba was used in 92% of cases (n=78) and most frequently with air (82%). Nitrox was used in scuba in 10 cases and rebreathers in six cases.
Twenty-eight cases (51%) were designated as drowning, and nine cases (16%) acute heart condition. Asphyxia (eight cases), as reported by medical examiner, equates to drowning. Arterial gas embolism, lung expansion injury or extra-alveolar air syndrome were reported in five cases (nine percent). One case of sudden death was suspected to be caused by a cardiac event.
Only 14 cases (out of 167 fatalities) involved intentional solo diving. However, in very few cases did divers comply with a reasonable buddy system dive practice. In one case, a dive guide died trying to save diver who became unconscious. In several instances a buddy retrieved an unconscious diver who subsequently died, most likely from a natural disease like myocardial infarction or aneurism rupture. Most of the time victims got into trouble after separating from a buddy and there was neither witness to the accident nor help when it was needed.
The value of buddy diving cannot be judged by on this report alone. However, it is realistic to state that:
1. Reliable buddy support provides piece of mind.
2. The presence of a buddy may help to calm down a diver dealing with an emergent
event.
3. A buddy may be able to share air if needed.
4. A trained buddy may assist an unconscious diver to the surface.
5. An incompetent diver cannot be expected to provide adequate buddy support. A
dependent diver should be paired with a professional guide.
