Provisional report on diving-related fatalities in Australian waters in 2012.

Introduction: An individual case review of known diving-related deaths that occurred in Australia in 2012 was conducted.

Method: The case studies were compiled using statements from witnesses and reports of 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: There were 26 reported fatalities (four less than the previous year). Only two of the victims were female (one snorkeller and one scuba diver). Fourteen deaths occurred while snorkelling and/or breath-hold diving, 11 while scuba diving and one diver died while using surface supplied breathing apparatus in a commercial pearl diving setting. Two breath-hold divers likely drowned as a result of apnoeic hypoxia. Cardiac-related issues were thought to have contributed to the deaths of at least three and possibly seven snorkellers and four scuba divers.

Conclusions: Pre-existing medical conditions; poor organisation, planning and supervision; equipment-related problems; snorkelling or diving alone or with loose buddy oversight and apnoeic hypoxia were features in several deaths in this series.