Annual Diving Report - Divers Alert Network

4. DIVE FATALITIES
Figure 4.3-3 shows the platform from which the fatal dives began. Fifty percent began from a
charter or private vessel, consistent with previous reports. Forty percent dived from shore. Of
these, 40 percent dived alone while only 17 percent of charter or private boat fatalities dived
alone. Strong current or rough seas were present in 30 percent of shore diving and 15 percent of
charter boat diving. Half the diving fatalities wore wetsuits, 37 percent wore drysuits, and 13
percent wore swimsuits. Death occurred on the first dive of the day in 50 percent of cases while
20 percent occurred on a repetitive dive. This information was not available in 30 percent of
cases.
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Charter/Private Boat Beach/Shore Liveaboard
Dive Platform
Figure 4.3-3 Dive platform (n=88).
Figure 4.3-4 shows the maximum dive depth reported for 59 fatalities. Three cases (3.5 percent)
occurred on the surface before diving. Seventy-six percent occurred in less than 90 fsw (27 msw)
and 24 percent on deeper dives. Four occurred at deeper than 200 fsw (61 msw).
Percent of Fatalities
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
< 20 20 - 49 50 - 99 100 +
Depth of Last Dive (fsw)
Figure 4.3-4 Maximum dive depth (n=59).
50 Annual Diving Report: 2006 Edition