Defibrillators and recreational diving and snorkelling

Background
Recommendations
Health and safety obligations
More information

Background

During the 2005 inquest into the death of Thomas Creegan, a recreational diver who died in November 2003 off Cairns, the Coroner requested details of all recreational diving and snorkelling workplace deaths in Queensland since 1998. The details revealed that over the period of eight years, 58 people had died from these activities.

Most of these diving and snorkelling deaths occurred in people aged over 40 years. The most common category for snorkelling death was for people aged 61 years and over. The most common cause of death for both divers and snorkellers was from heart disease, including narrowing of coronary arteries.

Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs)

Recent advances in defibrillation technology, specifically lightweight and compact units, mean that these systems are readily available to provide treatment in isolated or remote areas. When this is coupled with other advanced resuscitation techniques, such as the use of supplemental oxygen, the use of an AED can lead to improved chances of patient survival.

Currently in Queensland AEDs are becoming more common at major public venues and are frequently used by community groups such as Surf Life Saving Australia. Already four Queensland recreational diving and snorkelling operators have adopted AEDs as a part of their emergency management system. This trend recognises that early access to defibrillation is one of the most important factors in the successful resuscitation of heart attack victims.

In her findings following the inquest referred to above, the Coroner made the following statement with regard to AEDs:

that people undertaking recreational diving or snorkelling (to include employers, self employed people, employer organisations and recreational dive agencies) shall ensure an automatic electronic defibrillator (AED) is immediately available at each dive and snorkelling site
that a non-conducting mat is provided to allow the safe use of the AED
that adequate numbers of workers who are immediately available at the site maintain current training in the use of AED
that the AED is checked daily to ensure it’s proper function and charge level.

Recommendations

All workplaces undertaking recreational diving and snorkelling undertake a comprehensive risk assessment process to determine the risk of cardiac death in recreational divers and snorkellers and whether AEDs are required as a control measure.

The goal of this process is to see more Queensland recreational diving and snorkelling workplaces adopt AED technology as a part of their emergency management system.

References are provided which may assist in this process.

In assessing the risk and selecting controls at a particular workplace, the following factors should be considered:

the safe use of the AED at the workplace
the degree of isolation of the workplace from emergency services
the risk profile of diving and snorkelling participants, specifically their age
the numbers of divers and snorkellers
the frequency of diving and snorkelling activity
the distance to the nearest other AED where it is unsafe to use an AED on a "wet" boat
special arrangements that may be required in situations where an AED cannot be used safely on such vessels.

Workplaces that adopt AED systems should ensure that:

the AED is kept immediately available at the recreational diving and snorkelling site
personnel are adequately trained in the use of the AED in accordance with the manufacturers instructions
there are adequate numbers of trained people available to operate the AED
the AED is inspected, repaired and maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions
towels and, where required, rubber mats are available to ensure the use of the AED does not place others at risk.

Health and safety obligations

Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 (PDF, 766 KB) requires that employers and self employed people ensure that other people are not exposed to risk to their health and safety arising out of the conduct of the person’s business or undertaking. Generally workplace health and safety is ensured by identifying hazards, assessing risks of these hazards, identifying and implementing control measures and reviewing outcomes.

This safety alert seeks to identify cardiac death as a significant risk for those who undertake recreational diving and snorkelling and gives advice on risk assessment and suitable control measures.

More information

The First Aid Code of Practice
The Risk Management Code of Practice
The Compressed Air Recreational Diving and Recreational Snorkelling Code of Practice
Early access to defibrillation in Queensland - Policy Statement of the Queensland Emergency Medical System(PDF, 117 KB)
Coronary Heart Disease Facts - Queensland Health

Last updated August 9, 2006