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. 2023 Sep 30;53(3):210-217.
doi: 10.28920/dhm53.3.210-217.

Snorkelling and breath-hold diving fatalities in Australian waters, 2014 to 2018

John Lippmann  1   2   3   4
Affiliations

Snorkelling and breath-hold diving fatalities in Australian waters, 2014 to 2018

John Lippmann. Diving Hyperb Med. .

Abstract

Introduction: This study investigated snorkelling and breath-hold diving deaths in Australia from 2014-2018 and compared these to those from 2001-2013 to identify ongoing problems and assess the effectiveness of countermeasures.

Methods: Media reports and the National Coronial Information System were searched to identify snorkelling/breath-hold diving deaths for 2014-2018, inclusive. Data were extracted from witness and police reports, medical histories, and autopsies. An Excel® database was created and a chain of events analysis conducted. Comparisons were made with the earlier report.

Results: Ninety-one fatalities (78 males, 13 females, median age 48 years [range 16-80]) were identified with one third likely doing some breath-hold diving. Fifty-two of 77 with known body mass index were overweight or obese. Approximately two thirds were inexperienced snorkellers and 64 were alone. Fifty-one were tourists. Planning shortcomings, such as solo diving and diving in adverse conditions, as well as pre-existing health conditions and inexperience predisposed to many incidents. Primary drowning was the likely disabling condition in 39% of cases with drowning recorded as the cause of death (COD) in two thirds. Cardiac events were the likely disabling conditions in 31% although recorded as the COD in 21% of cases.

Conclusions: Increasing age, obesity and associated cardiac disease have become increasingly prevalent in snorkelling deaths and there is a need for improved health surveillance and risk management. Closer supervision of inexperienced snorkellers is indicated. Apnoeic hypoxia from extended breath-holding and poor supervision remain a problem. The increased risk of harvesting seafood in areas frequented by large marine predators needs to be appreciated and managed appropriately.

Keywords: Cardiovascular; Diving deaths; Fatalities; Freediving; Immersion; Snorkelling; Spearfishing.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest and funding

This study was supported by the Australasian Diving Safety Foundation. No relevant conflicts of interest were declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Annual snorkelling and breath-hold diving fatalities from 1965 to 2018. The red dots signify the study period
Figure 2
Figure 2
Disabling conditions associated with 91 snorkelling deaths from 2014 to 2018
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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