Lippmann, John; Taylor, David McD

doi:10.28920/dhm50.2.98-104

Author(s)

Lippmann, John

Taylor, David McD

Publication Date

2020-06-30

Abstract

This study identified pre-existing medical conditions among scuba diving fatalities in Australia from 2001 to 2013, inclusive, and assessed whether these conditions likely contributed to the deaths. The National Coronial Information System (NCIS) was searched for scuba diving-related cases during 2001-2013, inclusive. Coronial findings, witness and police reports, medical histories, and autopsy and toxicology reports were scrutinised for pre-existing medical conditions and autopsy findings. Predisposing factors, triggers, disabling agents, disabling injuries and causes of death were analysed using a validated template. There were 126 scuba diving-related fatalities identified during the study period. Forty-six (37%) divers were identified as having a significant medical condition which may have contributed to their incident. The most common condition was ischaemic heart disease (IHD) which had been diagnosed in 15 of the divers. Thirty-two (25%) deaths were attributed to cardiac disabling injuries (DI) such as ischaemic heart disease and arrhythmias, although a cardiac DI was thought likely in another six. Respiratory conditions were implicated in eight (6%) deaths, at least four associated with cerebral arterial gas embolism. At least 14 (11%) divers who had contributory pre-existing medical conditions had been cleared to dive by a medical practitioner within the year prior. Chronic health-related factors played a major role in almost half of these deaths; primarily cardiac conditions such as IHD and cardiac arrhythmias. Although fitness-to-dive (FTD) assessments have limitations, the high incidence of cardiac-related deaths indicates a need for 'older' divers to be medically assessed for FTD.

Citation

Diving and hyperbaric medicine 2020; 50(2): 98-104

ISSN

1833-3516

Jornal Title

Diving and hyperbaric medicine

OrcId

0000-0002-8986-9997

Link

https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/23752

Subject

Autopsy

Cardiac

Diving deaths

Fitness to dive

Immersion

Medical conditions and problems

Title

Medical conditions in scuba diving fatality victims in Australia, 2001 to 2013.

Type of document

Journal Article

Austin Health

Medical conditions in scuba diving fatality victims in Australia, 2001 to 2013.

Files:

Author(s)	Lippmann, John Taylor, David McD
Publication Date	2020-06-30
Abstract	This study identified pre-existing medical conditions among scuba diving fatalities in Australia from 2001 to 2013, inclusive, and assessed whether these conditions likely contributed to the deaths. The National Coronial Information System (NCIS) was searched for scuba diving-related cases during 2001-2013, inclusive. Coronial findings, witness and police reports, medical histories, and autopsy and toxicology reports were scrutinised for pre-existing medical conditions and autopsy findings. Predisposing factors, triggers, disabling agents, disabling injuries and causes of death were analysed using a validated template. There were 126 scuba diving-related fatalities identified during the study period. Forty-six (37%) divers were identified as having a significant medical condition which may have contributed to their incident. The most common condition was ischaemic heart disease (IHD) which had been diagnosed in 15 of the divers. Thirty-two (25%) deaths were attributed to cardiac disabling injuries (DI) such as ischaemic heart disease and arrhythmias, although a cardiac DI was thought likely in another six. Respiratory conditions were implicated in eight (6%) deaths, at least four associated with cerebral arterial gas embolism. At least 14 (11%) divers who had contributory pre-existing medical conditions had been cleared to dive by a medical practitioner within the year prior. Chronic health-related factors played a major role in almost half of these deaths; primarily cardiac conditions such as IHD and cardiac arrhythmias. Although fitness-to-dive (FTD) assessments have limitations, the high incidence of cardiac-related deaths indicates a need for 'older' divers to be medically assessed for FTD.
Citation	Diving and hyperbaric medicine 2020; 50(2): 98-104
ISSN	1833-3516
Jornal Title	Diving and hyperbaric medicine
OrcId	0000-0002-8986-9997
Link	https://ahro.austin.org.au/austinjspui/handle/1/23752
Subject	Autopsy Cardiac Diving deaths Fitness to dive Immersion Medical conditions and problems
Title	Medical conditions in scuba diving fatality victims in Australia, 2001 to 2013.
Type of document	Journal Article