Cave Accident analysis
This is the way we should keep learning to cave dive !
In this section we provide a general overview of the history of cave
diving Accident analysis to date !
The following information is based in 650 accidents worldwide from
1970's to 2011.
At all times the average cave diving yearly accident fatalities rate is 60
divers, with 2.5 being certified divers, with a peak to 7 in 2011.
Till 1985 more than 90% been non certified cave divers, presumably as
the risk was not properly advised or regulations endorsed. In fact in
the last 10 yrs NON trained diver accidents in cave have reduce
dramatically, however the certified cave divers involved in cave diving
fatalities has increase to more than 50% of the total.
In the last 5 yrs certified cave diver fatalities has increase to 80% of
total.
The average age of cave diving accidents is 27yr old, with peak
starting form 17 to 37 yrs old and with the higher risk been at 30's in
the last 5 yrs.
Solo diving vs team is a very tight 50% / 50% and as sport gets more
global the accidents are going from exclusively USA to worldwide with
a peak in Europe and Australia.
1977- Sheck Exley published the 3 main causes of cave diving
fatalities
Guideline - Lack of having a continuous guideline to the surface, which
includes no primary line, un proper T markings and failure to properly
jump lines.
Gas Management - Failure to reserve at least 2/3 of gas supply for
exit.
Depth - Deep air diving O2 toxicity and Narcosis
1984 - Wes Skiles published two contributing factors :
Training - Lack of cave training as at this time 90% of fatalities were
NO overhead trained divers
Lights - Failure to secure lighting during whole duration of dive,
including Primary light failure
2008- Jeffrey Bozanic published Accident analysis for the New
Millennium
Gas Mixtures - Wrong gas switching, poor mislabeled cylinders, poor
analyzed mixes
New Technology - Un proper DPV and Rebreather experience and/or
training
Medical problems - Poor fitness
Equipment Maintenance - None periodically servicing
Solo diving- 50% accidents happen solo
Skill maintenance - Holiday cave diving
2012 - IDREO Starts a yearly Accident analysis in cave diving.
In 2011 there are 8 documented cave diving fatality accidents,
Australia, France, Ireland, Mexico, Turkey and USA.
In most cases Wrong Gas Mixture is the main cause while employing
New Technology. with rebreathers involved units been pSCR & CCR,
one case of Guideline navigation and two with poor Gas Management.
Dives start as "team" in all cases except one Solo Diving and in two
cases there was diving separation, one agreed previously.
One case of Medical Problems do poor fitness happen in surface after
dive.
Proper procedures for gas switching, full understanding of New
technology (pSCR), thorough knowledge on rules for gas management
and guideline navigation are featured in this year Safety meeting, as a
result of this year analysis.
A preview in the articles page
In this section we provide a general overview of the history of cave
diving Accident analysis to date !
The following information is based in 650 accidents worldwide from
1970's to 2011.
At all times the average cave diving yearly accident fatalities rate is 60
divers, with 2.5 being certified divers, with a peak to 7 in 2011.
Till 1985 more than 90% been non certified cave divers, presumably as
the risk was not properly advised or regulations endorsed. In fact in
the last 10 yrs NON trained diver accidents in cave have reduce
dramatically, however the certified cave divers involved in cave diving
fatalities has increase to more than 50% of the total.
In the last 5 yrs certified cave diver fatalities has increase to 80% of
total.
The average age of cave diving accidents is 27yr old, with peak
starting form 17 to 37 yrs old and with the higher risk been at 30's in
the last 5 yrs.
Solo diving vs team is a very tight 50% / 50% and as sport gets more
global the accidents are going from exclusively USA to worldwide with
a peak in Europe and Australia.
1977- Sheck Exley published the 3 main causes of cave diving
fatalities
Guideline - Lack of having a continuous guideline to the surface, which
includes no primary line, un proper T markings and failure to properly
jump lines.
Gas Management - Failure to reserve at least 2/3 of gas supply for
exit.
Depth - Deep air diving O2 toxicity and Narcosis
1984 - Wes Skiles published two contributing factors :
Training - Lack of cave training as at this time 90% of fatalities were
NO overhead trained divers
Lights - Failure to secure lighting during whole duration of dive,
including Primary light failure
2008- Jeffrey Bozanic published Accident analysis for the New
Millennium
Gas Mixtures - Wrong gas switching, poor mislabeled cylinders, poor
analyzed mixes
New Technology - Un proper DPV and Rebreather experience and/or
training
Medical problems - Poor fitness
Equipment Maintenance - None periodically servicing
Solo diving- 50% accidents happen solo
Skill maintenance - Holiday cave diving
2012 - IDREO Starts a yearly Accident analysis in cave diving.
In 2011 there are 8 documented cave diving fatality accidents,
Australia, France, Ireland, Mexico, Turkey and USA.
In most cases Wrong Gas Mixture is the main cause while employing
New Technology. with rebreathers involved units been pSCR & CCR,
one case of Guideline navigation and two with poor Gas Management.
Dives start as "team" in all cases except one Solo Diving and in two
cases there was diving separation, one agreed previously.
One case of Medical Problems do poor fitness happen in surface after
dive.
Proper procedures for gas switching, full understanding of New
technology (pSCR), thorough knowledge on rules for gas management
and guideline navigation are featured in this year Safety meeting, as a
result of this year analysis.
A preview in the articles page
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| All rights reserved. Copyright 2012 International Diving Research and Exploration Organization info@idreo.org |
2012
Cave Diving Accident List
Spain-Pasada Blanca
Switzerland-Rossiniere
USA - Vortex
USA - Ginnie Springs
USA-Weeki Wachee
France- St georges
Mexico - Chaac mool
Mexico - Chaac mool
Mexico - Chaac mool
Cave Diving Accident List
Spain-Pasada Blanca
Switzerland-Rossiniere
USA - Vortex
USA - Ginnie Springs
USA-Weeki Wachee
France- St georges
Mexico - Chaac mool
Mexico - Chaac mool
Mexico - Chaac mool
2011
Cave Diving Accident List
Australia-Tank Cave
Ireland- ?
USA-WKPP-whisky still sink
France-St Sauver
Mexico-Sitema Cocodrilo
Turkey-istambul
Mexico - Taj maha
Austrlia-Tank Cave
USA - Eaglenest
Cave Diving Accident List
Australia-Tank Cave
Ireland- ?
USA-WKPP-whisky still sink
France-St Sauver
Mexico-Sitema Cocodrilo
Turkey-istambul
Mexico - Taj maha
Austrlia-Tank Cave
USA - Eaglenest
2012 Rebreather
Cave Diving Accident List
Spain-Pasada Blanca-CCR
Switzerland-Rossiniere-CCR
Cave Diving Accident List
Spain-Pasada Blanca-CCR
Switzerland-Rossiniere-CCR
2011 Rebreather
Cave Diving Accident List
Ireland-?-CCR
USA-Florida-pSCR
France-landenouse-pSCR
Mexico-S. cocodrilo-CCR
USA - Eagle Nest -CCR
Cave Diving Accident List
Ireland-?-CCR
USA-Florida-pSCR
France-landenouse-pSCR
Mexico-S. cocodrilo-CCR
USA - Eagle Nest -CCR