420 Dive Log Australasia OCTOBER 2026

Diving-related Fatalities in Australia in 2021 . T here were 23 diving-related deaths recorded in Australia during 2021. These included eight scuba divers, including one on a closed-circuit rebreather (CCR); 13 snorkellers/freedivers; and two divers using surface-supplied breathing apparatus (SSBA), more specifically ‘hookah’ units. © Dr John Lippmann

Scuba The average age of the scuba divers was 51 years, ranging from 33 to 67 years old, and seven were males. No BMI was available for two divers, however, of the remaining six, four were severely obese (BMI > 35 kg.m -2 ), obesity being a risk factor for a scuba diving fatality. Four divers were classified as experienced (30 200 dives), three as very experienced (> 200 dives) and two were inexperienced (< 30 dives). There was no indication of experience with the other two. One, a relative novice, was doing the ‘deep’ dive of an Advanced Open Water Course. Health factors predisposed to six incidents and included obesity (4), cardiac conditions (3), and medications (3). Depth was a major factor in one incident which occurred during a working dive to 75 msw during which an out-of-gas emergency occurred. Equipment problems contributed to at least three deaths and included two high-reading gauges which led to low air emergencies, one exacerbated by a poorly functioning demand valve. The CCR diver was carrying seven cylinders and a non-functioning DPV. The associated exertion more rapidly depleted his breathing gas and lead to him breathing a hypoxic mix and, despite a likely warning from the unit, lead to unconsciousness and subsequent drowning. Somewhat unusually, the sea conditions (other than depth in the case already mentioned) did not appear to have been a factor on these deaths. Cardiac events were the disabling conditions in four incidents, and decompression sickness, asphyxia (primary drowning), arterial gas embolism and drug toxicity in one each of the others. These scuba deaths once again reinforce the importance of diving health surveillance in divers aged 45 or more, equipment maintenance, and careful gas supply monitoring. Click here to learn more about Australian scuba deaths over 50 years.

Snorkel / breath-hold All but one of the snorkellers were male, the average age was 39 years and ranged from 16 to 67 years, and at least five were experienced breath-hold divers. Unusually, none of the victims this year were overseas tourists, a probable consequence of COVID-related travel restrictions. At least five of the victims had significant cardiac disease and/or dysfunction which contributed to their deaths. One victim appears to have been attacked by a shark, but it is unknown if he was hunting seafood - a common provocation. Five set out solo, and, of the others, only one was with a buddy at the time of their incident. One solo diver who was hunting crayfish became trapped in a crevice, and his body was accidently found in situ almost one month later. A very experienced diver was practicing extending his breath-hold in a pool with others nearby but with no direct supervision. He was likely unconscious for around 15 minutes before being noticed. Another victim suffered an episode of SAMBA (loss of motor control from hypoxia) after an earlier dive and, after a break, failed to surface on a subsequent breath-hold dive. By the time his companions noticed he was missing he couldn’t be found. Once again, it is evident that heart disease predisposes to snorkelling deaths which are often cardiac-related. Appropriate health surveillance and management, and close buddy scrutiny are required to reduce this risk. Very close scrutiny is also essential when divers are pushing their breath-holding limits to reduce the risk of drowning after breath-holding blackout, which can occur at or near the surface, or at depth. Click here to learn more about 317 Australian snorkelling and breath-hold deaths over 20 years. SSBA Both SSBA victims were males and were using ‘hookahs’. One was totally untrained and a novice who had built his hookah from parts bought online. He set off alone on a night dive,

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DIVE LOG Australasia #420 Oct ‘26

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