Snorkelling and Breath-Hold Diving Fatalities in Australia-A Review of 317 Deaths

Abstract

As snorkelling and breath-hold diving are conducted in a potentially hostile environment by participants with varying skills and health, fatalities occur. In this study, snorkelling and breath-hold diving fatalities were investigated in Australia from 2000 to 2021 to identify causes and countermeasures. The Australasian Diving Safety Foundation database and the National Coronial Information System were searched to identify snorkelling/breath-hold diving deaths from 2000 to 2021. Relevant data were extracted, recorded, and analysed. The median age of the 317 victims was 48 years, two-thirds were overweight or obese, and almost half had health conditions, including ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), predisposing them to an arrhythmia-related snorkelling incident. One-third of victims were likely disabled by cardiac arrhythmias and at least 137 deaths were from primary drowning, with 34 following apnoeic hypoxia. Pre-existing health conditions, particularly IHD and LVH, predispose to many snorkelling deaths in older participants and may be somewhat mitigated by targeted health screening. Drownings from apnoeic hypoxia persist in younger breath-hold divers who should avoid pushing their limits without close monitoring. Skills practice in a controlled environment, increased focus on the importance of an effective buddy, and improved supervision are necessary to mitigate risk in the inexperienced.

Keywords: breath-hold diving; cardiac arrhythmia; deaths; drowning; fatalities; freediving; snorkelling.

Figure 1

Annual snorkelling-related deaths in Australia, 2000–2021.

Figure 2

An “at risk” snorkeller with a marked snorkel, buoyancy aid, and close supervision.

Figure 3

A large commercial snorkelling operation on the Great Barrier Reef. Of note, there is a marked snorkel area, rest stations, and several lookouts at multiple vantage points.