Lets take a look at the top causes of fatalities in diving:
- Poor Health
Common examples include obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, breathing difficulties (temporary or chronic), a general lack of fitness, pre-existing injuries and dehydration.
74% of fatal cases involved overweight, obese, or morbidly obese divers.
15% involved divers with known high blood pressure or heart
disease.
- Procedural problems
According to a DAN report, common problems include buoyancy control, rapid ascents, missed decompression stops, general skill limitations, ear equalization problems, and, most critically, failing to properly monitor the air supply, resulting in low-on-air or out-of-air situations.
26% of all the procedural problems that lead to death were involving an emergency ascent
In 14% of those cases insufficient gas supply was the triggering event
- Environmental issues
Rapidly changing open-water environments can be dangerous for divers who are unprepared, out of practice, inexperienced, or incapable of adapting to changes.
- Equipment problems
While equipment failures account for relatively few fatalities, they are one of the most predictable, and most easily managed.
7.5% of fatalities involved Buoyancy Control issues.
6% involved regulator issues.
5% involved weight systems.
Diving just as any sport involves risk. To minimize these risks proper training and adherence to procedures is vital. A balanced diet and regular exercise are not only important for your health, they are important in diving as well. Worldwide PADI certified 936,149 students last year. With millions of people participating in diving around the world it is important to not only to know how to take care of yourself, but to be able to help others as well. During the PADI Rescue course, divers learn to prevent, and if necessary, manage emergencies with a variety of techniques. It is the most important continuing education class; all divers should consider training up to this level.
This week at Oceans, 3 Divemaster candidates are completing their rescue course prerequisite. After a full day of bookwork and exams, they spent one morning in the pool preparing for open water scenarios. Yesterday, they completed the first part of the open-water requirements. Today they are out on the boat again. When they return we will have 3 new Rescue divers! Congratulations and thank you for continuing your education to be responsible divers!
Here’s a sneak peak at the them working hard near Isla Largo:
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