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Twelve Year High for Diving Incidents
01 Jun 2004
Figures released by the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency show that diving related incidents dealt with by HM Coastguard last year had their highest total in the last 12 years, with 12 fatalities representing a doubling of the 2002 figure.
Ken Bazeley, National Diving Liaison Officer for the MCA said, 'The evidence shows that the increase in the figures is mainly due to last year's good weather leading to an increased number of people taking part in diving activities and that a large number of the incidents in 2003 were preventable. Our concern remains that there are still far too many deaths and medical related incidents caused by rapid ascents, missed decompression stops and divers suffering decompression sickness.
'Fortunately, divers now have greater awareness of how HM Coastguard can help if things go wrong but also they have seen the advantages of contacting the Coastguard to report their plans and for weather and tidal information.
'It is also welcome that the trend of reporting a problem in the early stages is increasing and this, in turn, speeds up attendance by the rescue services leading to faster evacuation of casualties and increased patient survival rates.'
MJ Information No: 19535
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