Divers with spinal cord injuries caused by decompression illness could benefit from the latest developments in nanofibre research.

Medical checks for divers a possibility By ALEXANDRA ECONOMOU 25feb04 STATE Coroner Wayne Chivell has raised the prospect of forcing divers to undergo annual medical checks to prevent minor health problems from causing fatal accidents. Mr Chivell Ð who is examining the deaths of five divers in unrelated incidents between February 2001 and April 2002 Ð made the suggestion as he questioned Donald Rogers, who witnessed the drowning of his partner Deborah Campbell. Mr Rogers said Ms Campbell was "relatively unfit" and had back problems and an ulcerated oesophagus, and he believed her health problems had contributed to her death. Mr Chivell asked Mr Rogers if he thought yearly medical assessments for recreational divers were a good idea. "I wouldn't have a problem with it, not in the least, it wouldn't put me off diving," the experienced diver replied. Mr Chivell is investigating the deaths of Ms Campbell, 42, Jennifer Barrington, 44, Neville Kinnear, 58, Rex Humberstone, 52, and Robert Walker, 55. The inquest is examining whether their health and fitness contributed to their deaths. Mr Rogers told the court he and Ms Campbell were diving near rocks about 250m off Nora Creine in the South-East on March 17, 2002, when she became distressed. "She wanted to go to the rocks for a rest .Ê.Ê. and we tried to climb up on the rocks, but it was very difficult with the weight belts on." The waves "knocked us around" and forced Ms Campbell into the rocks. "The regulator was still in her mouth but I could see that she wasn't launching on it, or biting it, and she didn't appear conscious. I tried to give her mouth to mouth, to no effect." The court also heard that Jennifer Barrington Ð who drowned off Althorpe Island, Yorke Peninsula, on February 24, 2001 Ð had been diving for at least 20 years before she died. Ms Barrington Ð who had asthma and back problems Ð was told by doctors to seek medical advice before diving. She had also done a course at Glenelg Scuba Dive Centre. The inquest is continuing.


More links of interest
Decline in shark populations from overfishing
Swimming with sharks
CRC sustainable tourism website


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