Context

Diving-related problems are rarely covered during medical school and specialty training and the basic science underpinning diving is often not well understood. Diving-related problems can present in many ways and their appropriate and timely management is essential for good outcomes and patient safety.

The British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC) reported 215 diving incidents in 2018. There were up to 30-50 incidents per month between May – September. In 2018, injury was the most common incident followed by Decompression Illness (DCI). This was incongruent with the previous four years where DCI was the most common. There were 19 fatal incidents in 2017, which was the highest number since 2004.¹