DATELINE :- 3rd February 2000
INCIDENTS REPORT
Too many rapid ascents - get a grip says BSAC
More divers are suffering from rapid ascents due to poor control over drysuits and BCs. Yet at the same time, overall numbers of incidents resulting in decompression illness are down. And the 17 UK fatalities listed for 1999 represents a drop on 1998 (at 22, a particularly bad year), close to the average of the past 5 years (16.8), but a rise on the ten-year average of 14.8.
These and many more statistics, plus the incident stories behind the figures, are published in the annual Diving Incidents Report compiled by the National Diving Committee of the British Sub-Aqua Club.
Listing incidents reported by BSAC members and other divers in the UK, and BSAC members overseas, the report provides pointers on the causes of sport diving accidents.
Of 382 incidents reported, 86 involved DCIs, with 98 casualties - down on the 120 casualties for 1998. But the report states that "it is very likely that there are further cases of DCI". Uncontrolled ascents accounted for a higher proportion of incidents than before, indicating, says the report, a need for better training in the use of modern drysuit and BC systems.
Among problems leading to DCI, 31 per cent involved depths greater than 30m, 29 per cent rapid ascents, 21 per cent miscalculated repeat diving, and 14 per cent missed decompression stops.
A study of depths at which all the in-water incidents commenced showed the ratio of fatal incidents was "significantly higher" at depths of more than 50m, indicating that the potential for problems increased markedly with depth and backing the BSAC's own stipulation that its members should not exceed 50m.
The number of incidents involving diver separation from boats leapt from 34 in 1998 to 51 for 1999.
There were 50 cases of boat engine failure and 13 other boat problems. This bears out the Coastguard's longstanding message that divers need to improve on their boating skills, and take better measures to ensure boat-to-diver contact. If separation does occur, divers need to have effective location devices (see feature Can You See Me?, Diver, February).
Reflecting on these and other facts in the report, compiler Brian Cumming concluded that, as usual, "most of the incidents... could have been avoided had those involved followed a few basic principles of safe diving practice".
He implored divers to dive within their limits, building experience gradually; to practise basic skills until they are "faultless"; take dive planning and equipment prepartion seriously; remain vigilant and ready to deal with setbacks while on a dive; and to ensure that both diving and boat equipment were well serviced.
A copy of the NDC Diving Incidents Report can be ordered from the BSAC (0151 350 6200).