Snorkel safety backed

Rescued tourist defends dive industry practices

A BRITISH tourist who suffered heart failure while snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef says there is nothing more the dive industry can do to improve its safety record.

John Chapman, 74, was flown to Cairns Hospital after he encountered breathing difficulties swimming at Moore Reef, about 40km off Cairns, earlier last month.

Mr Chapman, who has since returned home to the UK, said he did not have much recollection of the moment he came into strife.

“I was snorkelling when I felt I got myself into trouble,” he said. “I remember swimming back to the pontoon.

“I don’t have any real recall of what happened next, save that I was being sent to hospital where I do remember being treated.”

Having undergone heart surgery many years ago, doctors were initially concerned that Mr Chapman had suffered a heart attack.

However he said it appeared he had swallowed too much seawater while snorkelling, and due to the lack of oxygen being taken into his body, it resulted in heart failure.

“The fact that I was not breathing was noticed by the captain and crew of the boat I was on, after they returned me from the reef to the pontoon and they proceeded to administer CPR,” he said.

It has been the worst 12 months on the Great Barrier Reef for fatalities since 1988 with 10 people dying, a majority of these tourists experiencing the natural wonder in the Far North.

Queensland’s dive industry has been in discussions with the State Government to change their industry code of practice, including the legal right to prevent Reef visitors deemed as being “at risk” of strenuous activity in the water, from leaving boats.

Mr Chapman did not believe there was anything else the industry could do to improve its safety record, which is among the best in the world.

“I have to and do accept responsibility for my actions as I assume other tourists should do,” he said.

“Apart from pointing out the possible problems, I cannot think of anything else that can be done.”

Mr Chapman thanked the captain and crew of the vessel he had boarded, and the hospital’s medical staff, for saving his life.