Diving fatality investigations: recent changes

Diving Hyperb Med. 2014 Jun;44(2):91-6.

Abstract

Modifications to the investigation procedures in diving fatalities have been incorporated into the data acquisition by diving accident investigators. The most germane proposal for investigators assessing diving fatalities is to delay the drawing of conclusions until all relevant diving information is known. This includes: the accumulation and integration of the pathological data; the access to dive computer information; re-enactments of diving incidents; post-mortem CT scans and the interpretation of intravascular and tissue gas detected. These are all discussed, with reference to the established literature and recent publications.

Keywords: Diving deaths; autopsy; investigations; radiological imaging; review article.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Animals
  • Artifacts
  • Autopsy / methods*
  • Barotrauma / complications
  • Barotrauma / pathology
  • Cause of Death*
  • Decompression / statistics & numerical data
  • Decompression Sickness / complications
  • Decompression Sickness / pathology
  • Diving / adverse effects*
  • Drowning / diagnostic imaging
  • Drowning / pathology
  • Embolism, Air / etiology
  • Embolism, Air / pathology
  • Equipment Failure Analysis / methods
  • Equipment Failure Analysis / standards
  • Gases / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Lung Injury / etiology
  • Lung Injury / pathology
  • Microcomputers
  • Postmortem Changes
  • Resuscitation / adverse effects
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Gases