Diving fatalities: Quick change in weather a major factor

40 metre mixed gas ‘technical dives’ pose massive risks

Duncan Barry talks to Professional Malta Diving Schools Association chairman SIMON SCIBERRAS following the number of diving fatalities that occurred earlier this week.

Although the autopsy reports to determine what led to the deaths of a number of divers earlier this week are still awaited, Professional Malta Diving Schools Association chairman Simon Sciberras said that fatalities may occur when there is a quick change in weather, and it is likely that this was the case when three divers – two British and the other an Austrian – died while diving in Gozo. The British divers were diving in a group of 10 and a third diver in the group also found himself in difficulty but made it to shore safely.

“On the day of the fatalities there was a quick change in the weather, with the wind becoming rather strong. It is vital that a diver is able to interpret the weather conditions before diving and is preferably knowledgeable about local diving conditions and the area he/she is diving in,” he said.

Which brings us to the next question: do schools warn divers of certain risks before they take the plunge – such as the areas generally considered dangerous?

Mr Sciberras replied in the affirmative but did highlight the fact that schools are not obliged to give such information to divers who go to dive schools or centres to rent equipment, but in the case of guided dives, dive centres must accompany their clients, as is implied by the term ‘guided dives’.

“Schools must follow a full risk assessment as per diving regulations at all times,” he continued.

But it is not only the weather which may lead to the death of a diver.

According to Mr Sciberras, health plays a big role.

“Currently, according to local diving regulations, a diver must complete a medical fitness selfassessment form. Depending on the answers given, the school can request the client to be examined by a doctor.

“But diving is a risky sport and health issues can arise both on land and while underwater and this is something divers understand when engaging in the sport,” he said.

“The average age of divers is increasing, hence increasing the chances of fatalities,” Mr Sciberras he pointed out.

In fact, the Austrian diver who died this week was 64 years old.

This newspaper asked Mr Sciberras what precautions must be taken by divers and diving schools to minimise the likeli- hood of such incidents.

To begin with, he explained that the divers who lost their lives were not on a guided dive and had only rented the equipment.

“According to our regulations, when divers rent out equipment, the director of diving reviews the degree of experience of the individual, along with his or her state of health.

“If everything is fine, the equipment is then rented out to them – which clearly indicates that the dive centres are doing their part.

“If a diver has a license to dive and everything is fine with the paperwork, there is little a dive centre can do – apart from following the procedure mentioned above.

“Normally, a dive centre will tell the clients about the weather conditions where they intend diving but it is not obliged to do so, since certified divers should have the knowhow. In the event that the diver is unsure of certain conditions, or is not familiar with a particular dive site, he or she can always opt for a guided dive first before attempting to go it alone.”

When asked if there is a possibility that such fatalities may tarnish Malta’s diving industry, especially at a time when the islands are being promoted as a diving hub, Mr Sciberras said that Malta’s industry could very well be tarnished – especially when fatalities occur at the beginning of the season, as was the case earlier this week.

He pointed out that there is also an increase in divers coming over to Malta for what are referred to as ‘technical dives’ – dives of more than 40 metres relying on mixed gasses.

“These dives are more of a risk and hence contribute to higher fatality rates,” he warned.

Local diving industry attracting 80,000 dive tourists annually

In 2012, for instance, saw the death of four divers aged 60 or more. Following these deaths, the Malta Tourism Authority, which monitors local licensed dive centres, was quoted as saying that an increase in visitors did not make an increase in diving casualties inevitable.

The previous year, Malta forged a strong reputation as a world-class diving destination, with 73,770 dive tourists having visited the island, up from 64,300 in 2010.

During the scuttling of an old tug boat off Exiles at Sliema last year, the then Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella was quoted as saying that diving was very important for tourism – bringing some 80,000 people to Malta, the same number as the language schools.

Maltese Islands named top diving spot in the Med

The Maltese Islands were named as the best diving spot in the Mediterranean – and the third best on earth – in an international poll organised by Diver magazine last year.

The “Best Diving Destination of the Year” category was won by Egypt – which earned it through its Red Sea, and not its Mediterranean – shores, followed by the Maldives.