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. 2021 Dec 20;51(4):345-354.
doi: 10.28920/dhm51.4.345-354.

Scuba diving-related fatalities in New Zealand, 2007 to 2016

John Lippmann  1   2   3   4 , Christopher Lawrence  5   6 , Michael Davis  7
Affiliations

Scuba diving-related fatalities in New Zealand, 2007 to 2016

John Lippmann et al. Diving Hyperb Med. .

Abstract

Introduction: New Zealand (NZ) diving-related fatalities have been reported since the 1960s. The aim is to identify contributing risk factors, including medical, and to inform appropriate preventative strategies.

Methods: NZ scuba diving fatalities from 2007 to 2016 were searched from multiple sources - the National Coronial Information System (NCIS); the NZ Chief Coroner's office; Water Safety NZ Drownbase™ and the NZ Police National Dive Squad records. For inclusion, a victim must have been wearing a scuba set (which may include a rebreather). A key word search of the NCIS was made and the results matched to the other databases. An Excel® database was created and a chain of events analysis (CEA) conducted.

Results: Forty-eight scuba diving fatalities were identified, 40 men and eight women, average age 47 years (range 17-68), 20 of Māori ethnicity. Thirty-five were classified as overweight (14) or obese (21). Pre-existing medical risk factors were identified, either pre dive or at autopsy, in 37 divers, the commonest being ischaemic heart disease (IHD, 20), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH, 18) and hypertension (seven). IHD, LVH and obesity were variously associated with each other. The likely commonest disabling conditions, identified in 32 cases, were asphyxia (15), cardiac (nine) and pulmonary barotrauma/cerebral arterial gas embolism (five). Multiple environmental and diving practice breaches and poor planning were identified in the CEA, similar to those seen in other studies. Thirty-eight divers had not released their weight belt. Information on resuscitation was limited.

Conclusions: Obesity and cardiovascular disease were common and Māori appear to be over-represented, both as previously reported.

Keywords: Cardiovascular; Coroner’s findings; Diving deaths; Diving incidents; Drowning; Epidemiology; Obesity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest and funding:

Support was received from the Australian Diving Safety Foundation (Grant 140520, reviewed by trustees other than JL) for travel expenses to review files at the NZ Police National Diving Squad Headquarters, Wellington. Dr John Lippmann is the Chairman of the Australian Diving Safety Foundation. Associate Professor Michael Davis is on the Editorial Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Journal, but played no part in review of or decision to publish this manuscript. Dr Lawrence declared no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pareto chart of disabling agents associated with 39 of 47 scuba fatalities; one occurred on land post dive and in eight cases, no disabling agent could be identified. In some fatalities more than one possible disabling agent was present. The blue line represents cumulative percentage
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pareto chart of disabling conditions in 48 scuba diving fatalities; the blue line represents cumulative percentage. IPO − Immersion pulmonary oedema; PBT/CAGE − pulmonary barotrauma/cerebral arterial gas embolism. The blue line represents cumulative percentage
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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