Provisional report on diving-related fatalities in Australian waters 2006.

Introduction: An individual case review of diving-related deaths reported as occurring in Australia in 2006 was conducted as part of the Divers Alert Network Asia-Pacific (DAN AP) dive fatality reporting project.

Method: The case studies were compiled using reports from witnesses, the police and coroners. In each case, the particular circumstances of the accident and details from the post-mortem examination, where available, are provided.

Results: In total, there were 16 reported fatalities (eight fewer than 2005), all involving males. Ten deaths occurred while snorkelling and/or breath-hold diving and six while scuba diving, one of which involved the use of a closed-circuit rebreather. One death resulted from an encounter with a stingray and two involved scuba divers diving alone after an extended absence from diving. Cardiac-related issues were thought likely to have contributed to the deaths of six snorkel divers and one scuba diver.

Conclusions: Trauma from a marine creature, snorkelling or diving alone and pre-existing medical conditions once again featured in several deaths in this series.