Danish diving-related fatalities 1999-2012
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Danish diving-related fatalities 1999-2012. / Vinkel, Julie; Bak, Peter; Hyldegaard, Ole.
In: Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine, Vol. 46, No. 3, 09.2016, p. 142-149.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Danish diving-related fatalities 1999-2012
AU - Vinkel, Julie
AU - Bak, Peter
AU - Hyldegaard, Ole
PY - 2016/9
Y1 - 2016/9
N2 - AIM: The purpose was to explore causative tendencies among diving fatalities to prevent similar injuries in the future.METHODS: We report 33 fatal diving injuries that occurred among Danish divers during the period 1999-2012 in Scandinavian waters. The study was performed as a retrospective overview. The empiric data consists of police reports, forensic autopsy reports and examination of the diving equipment. Data were assembled and analyzed using Pivot and Excel. Frequencies and means (± SD) were used to describe categorical and continuous variables respectively.RESULTS: The mean age was 38.9 years and drowning was considered the cause of death in 24 of 28 divers for whom a diagnosis was possible. Elevated body mass index (18 of 22 divers had a BMI 〉 25) was overrepresented in our group compared to the background population. A drysuit was worn by 17 divers. Diving independently of a dive centre and mishandling of buoyancy aids were common risk factors. Only two divers released their weights. Three-quarters of those who did not would have increased their chance of survival by doing so; nevertheless, in a quarter of cases the weights were not readily releasable or not releasable at all.CONCLUSION: Unfamiliarity with drysuit diving, lack of a diving buddy and mismanagement of weights were important contributors to diving injuries.
AB - AIM: The purpose was to explore causative tendencies among diving fatalities to prevent similar injuries in the future.METHODS: We report 33 fatal diving injuries that occurred among Danish divers during the period 1999-2012 in Scandinavian waters. The study was performed as a retrospective overview. The empiric data consists of police reports, forensic autopsy reports and examination of the diving equipment. Data were assembled and analyzed using Pivot and Excel. Frequencies and means (± SD) were used to describe categorical and continuous variables respectively.RESULTS: The mean age was 38.9 years and drowning was considered the cause of death in 24 of 28 divers for whom a diagnosis was possible. Elevated body mass index (18 of 22 divers had a BMI 〉 25) was overrepresented in our group compared to the background population. A drysuit was worn by 17 divers. Diving independently of a dive centre and mishandling of buoyancy aids were common risk factors. Only two divers released their weights. Three-quarters of those who did not would have increased their chance of survival by doing so; nevertheless, in a quarter of cases the weights were not readily releasable or not releasable at all.CONCLUSION: Unfamiliarity with drysuit diving, lack of a diving buddy and mismanagement of weights were important contributors to diving injuries.
KW - Adult
KW - Body Mass Index
KW - Cause of Death
KW - Certification
KW - Denmark
KW - Diving
KW - Drowning
KW - Equipment Failure Analysis
KW - Female
KW - First Aid
KW - Humans
KW - Incidence
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Panic
KW - Physical Fitness
KW - Retrospective Studies
KW - Risk Factors
KW - Seasons
KW - Sex Distribution
KW - Young Adult
KW - Journal Article
UR - http://www.dhmjournal.com/files/dhmvol46no3_contents_S.pdf
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 27723014
VL - 46
SP - 142
EP - 149
JO - Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine
JF - Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine
SN - 1833-3516
IS - 3
ER -
ID: 176449521