Page 56 - AlertDiver_Winter2013

In the past 20 years, dive injuries and fatalities declined
even as participation in scuba diving increased. This
decline can be attributed to better training, equipment,
research and access to health care. With the increase in
participation there exists a need for continued improvement in
diver safety. DAN’s research is an important part of the effort
to enhance divers’ understanding of the risks, promote better
protocols and raise safety awareness in the dive community.
Background
We know the most common causes of dive fatalities are
drowning, arterial gas embolism and cardiac incidents. The
majority of these deaths are labeled drowning, but most
experts believe that drowning is usually preceded by other
debilitating injuries. In 2008 a DAN® study investigated 947
diving deaths and suggested a common chain of events in
these deaths: the triggering event, the disabling agent, the
disabling injury and the cause of death.
In an earlier study, researchers used a similar approach
to review all work-related deaths in Australia that occurred
from 1982 to 1984, identifying precursor events and
contributing factors. Both these studies concluded that
prevention strategies aimed at reducing triggers and
precursor events could reduce injuries and fatalities.
It is not easy to look back at accidents and establish
their root causes, but this approach allowed the authors
of both studies to conclude most accidents are caused by
preventable mishaps — unplanned and unwanted events
that increase the risk of injury. The mishaps identified
in both studies could be categorized as human errors,
54 | WINTER 2013
RESEARCH, EDUCATION & MEDICINE // S A F E T Y 1 0 1
Checklists
Keys to safer diving?
B y S h a b b a r I . R a n a p u r w a l a , M P H
STEPHEN FRINK
Checklists are proven tools in high-risk disciplines such
as aviation and surgery. Increased use of checklists by
divers may promote a reduction in injuries and fatalities.