Vol 58, No 1-4 (2007)
DIVING/HYPERBARIC MEDICINE
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2010-03-26
Divers’ deaths in Split-Dalmatian county, Croatia (Study of cases, 1994-2004)
Marija Definis-Gojanović, Toni Bresković, Davorka Sutlović
IMH 2007;58(1-4):139-148.
Vol 58, No 1-4 (2007)
DIVING/HYPERBARIC MEDICINE
Submitted: 2013-02-18
Published online: 2010-03-26
Abstract
The circumstances which lead to divers' death in Split-Dalmatian County in elevenyear
period (1994-2004) were analyzed. The data were extracted from the files of
autopsy reports of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Split University Hospital and
School of Medicine, and the police reports of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Split-
Dalmatian County. A total of 31 cases were found during the study period. The number
of diving deaths didn't vary significantly through the years 1994-1999 but it increased
after year 2000, mostly as a result of domestic and foreign tourists who practiced diving
during their summer vacation. The average age of victims was 37.65 years. Of the 31
cases, 13 (41.9%) were apnoea (skin) divers and rest of them (18; 58.1%) were scuba
divers. The leading activity of the apnoea divers was underwater fishing, while the
majority of scuba divers were in recreational diving. The major cause of death was
drowning. The circumstances which had led to the death remained unknown in most
cases, mainly due to inexistence of proper criminal investigation.
Abstract
The circumstances which lead to divers' death in Split-Dalmatian County in elevenyear
period (1994-2004) were analyzed. The data were extracted from the files of
autopsy reports of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Split University Hospital and
School of Medicine, and the police reports of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Split-
Dalmatian County. A total of 31 cases were found during the study period. The number
of diving deaths didn't vary significantly through the years 1994-1999 but it increased
after year 2000, mostly as a result of domestic and foreign tourists who practiced diving
during their summer vacation. The average age of victims was 37.65 years. Of the 31
cases, 13 (41.9%) were apnoea (skin) divers and rest of them (18; 58.1%) were scuba
divers. The leading activity of the apnoea divers was underwater fishing, while the
majority of scuba divers were in recreational diving. The major cause of death was
drowning. The circumstances which had led to the death remained unknown in most
cases, mainly due to inexistence of proper criminal investigation.
Keywords
diving; drowning; epidemiology
Title
Divers’ deaths in Split-Dalmatian county, Croatia (Study of cases, 1994-2004)
Journal
International Maritime Health
Issue
Vol 58, No 1-4 (2007)
Pages
139-148
Published online
2010-03-26
Page views
530
Article views/downloads
1224
Bibliographic record
IMH 2007;58(1-4):139-148.
Keywords
diving
drowning
epidemiology
Authors
Marija Definis-Gojanović
Toni Bresković
Davorka Sutlović