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. 2024 Sep 30;54(3):217-224.
doi: 10.28920/dhm54.3.217-224.

The investigation of diving accidents and fatalities

John Lippmann  1   2   3   4 , James Caruso  5
Affiliations

The investigation of diving accidents and fatalities

John Lippmann et al. Diving Hyperb Med. .

Abstract

Diving accidents result from a variety of causes including human error, inadequate health and fitness, environmental hazards and equipment problems. They usually involve a cascade of events resulting in the diver being injured or deceased. The accuracy and usefulness of a diving accident investigation relies on well-targeted interviews, good field investigation, evidence collection and preservation, and appropriate equipment assessment. In the event of a fatality, a thorough and targeted autopsy is indicated. Investigators should have the appropriate knowledge, training, skills and support systems to perform the required tasks. Relevant investigations include the victim's medical and diving history, the dive circumstances and likely accident scenario, management of the accident including rescue and first aid, equipment inspection and testing and a thorough postmortem examination conducted by a forensic pathologist with an awareness of the special requirements of a diving autopsy and the knowledge to correctly interpret the findings. A chain of events analysis can determine the likely accident scenario, identify shortcomings and inform countermeasures.

Keywords: Arterial gas embolism; Autopsy; Coroner; Decompression sickness; Diving deaths; Diving incidents; Investigations; Scuba.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Post-mortem computed tomography scan of a diver who died due to a gas embolism. Note the large amount of intravascular and intracardiac gas. (Courtesy of Michael Pickup, M.D., Provincial Forensic Pathology Unit, Toronto, Ontario)
Figure 2
Figure 2
The intercostal muscles can be dissected in layers to expose the lungs as a test for the presence of a pneumothorax
Figure 3
Figure 3
Filling the pericardial sac with water is one method that can be used to check for intracardiac gas in air embolism
Figure 4
Figure 4
After the pericardial sac has been filled with water the right and left ventricles can be incised to see if any gas escapes
Figure 5
Figure 5
Tying off the carotid arteries prior to opening the head and checking cerebral arteries for intravascular gas can minimise artifact
Figure 6
Figure 6
Flowchart of the chain of events analysis for a diving accident
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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