IDREO
Torre Miami 1007
Cancun, Quintana Roo 77500
Mexico
ph: +52 1 984 1207905
HQ
"Analysis is the process of breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts to gain a better understanding of it"
Project Introduction
Exploration is not longer a single man risk or an exclusive group activity, new technology allow divers to perform in a daily basis what use to be
a one of a kind exploration endeavor, actually divers are now reaching further than ever before.
Extreme exposures techniques and planning information however seems not accessible to most divers and therefore some exploration attempts result in fatalities, a constant increase unfortunately, as much as five times the average numbers, in comparison from early days.
Alarming trend of accident on the raise, in fact since 2010 the average fatality rate has double and further multiply by 5 to 10 times 2011 to 2013 (only in cave diving alone), mostly where due lack of proper training or under exploration like activities.
Research is been enhanced by the new equipment development for exploration, “reaching further”, so new technology are readily becoming the working tools for researchers worldwide.
Besides needing to master the equipment operation and procedures, Research and Experimentation in newly reach areas must be performed, increasing risk of not trained divers and explorers
Accident Analysis History
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 up to date !
The following information is based in 660+ fatalities worldwide from 1970's to 2014.
At all times the average cave diving yearly accident fatalities rate sums 60 divers, with 2.5 being certified divers, with a peak to 21 in 2012 and sadly currently in mid 2013 with 9 deaths in 8 cases.
Untill 1985 more than 90% of fatalities 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 include
s 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
2010 - IDREO publish a yearly report.
2010- The alarming trend that has completely turn over the early accident analysis on involved trained cave divers.
in all cases except one Solo Divingand 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 (RB technology), thorough knowledge on rules for gas management and guideline navigation were featured in this year Safety meeting, as a result of this year analysis.
2012 - 21 fatalities.
AAP brought us new challenges with Accident fatalities rates going to the higest level ever, even 10 times more than historical average, with 21 fatalities
s in total of which 13 certified cave divers.
To notice that 8 of this "accidents" were "customers" under direct guidance of a paid "Cave/rn guide", in most cases guide fail to survive, for a total of 7 in two dives.
This year accidents were involved fewer trained cave divers and 85% happen on the cavern zone, in cave all RB units involved were CCR mostly electronic driven injection.
As well 12 were Solo Diving, 7 been guided/Instructed and 2 teams of two one separation and one double fatality while surveying.
2013 - 9 fatalities in 7accidents.
The trend from 2012 continue and most accidents where under direct supervision of Instructors or Guides.
Bringing to the point is how easy is to become a Cave Instructor vs to really understand the risk, candidate preparation and mentorship need to safely introduce divers into overhead diving.
To be fair a 20% where non trained divers, however student during training where 60% of total, which brings into question the current programs
and Instructors training capabilities, besides of individual Instructor ability and teaching experience.
Rising the minimum requirement bar seems a predictable solution.
Solo diving % as usual was way less than team diving, even presumable less practiced in comparison. Poor gas analysis and switching techniques claim again complacency.
2014 - 9 fatalities in 6 accidents.
Can be characterized by one issue and that is diving BEYOND diver's level, including experience but also training, therefore limited knowledge regarding adequate planning and pushing the limits into exploration level dives without proper mentorship. Even if diving in teams.
2015 - 7 fatalities in 6 accidents.
Accident analysis while diving caves reflect an overall paradigm related to diver's experience, in one hand partially trained and extensively equipped resulting in overconfidence on the other lacking adequate training. Both which results in breaching of the basic known rules that minimize risk while cave diving; such as continuous guideline, gas management and deep cave diving, however common denominator in 2015 accidents was age (50-72yr old) and poor fitness, major contributor to heart attack due body abuse.
Analysis in progress
IDREO publish this Accident Analyisis Project (AAP), continuing to bring awareness of the current safety situation of Cave Diving and promoting an International yearly Accident Analysis in a community meeting.
Cave Divers Safety Meeting is been promoted to analyze each year accidents data base.
Next meeting :
@cavexpo
Nov 2016, Riviera Maya, Mexico
FOLLOW : #idreoblog
Project Mission
"Create awareness of Exploration risk, providing up to the minute knowledge in order to control and minimize
risk to the current and new generation of explorers through an International Accident Analysis platform"
Current 2015 list
USA - Ginnie Springs
MEXICO - Camilo
MEXICO - Dos Ojos
USA - Ginnie Springs
Turkey - Demre
Turkey - Demnre
USA - Blue Springs
2014 Fatalities List
Norway - Plura (RB)
Norway - Plura (RB)
Finland - Vaaksy (ICE)
Finland - Kuortane (MINE)
China - Guangxi
Thailand - Tiger Cave, Surmat (RB)
Thailand - Tiger Cave, Surmat (RB)
Cuba - El Brinco 2
Cuba - El Brinco 2
2013 Fatalities List
CAVE
Italy, Veci
France, Landenouse
Mexico, Calimba
France, Gourneyras
Mexico, Chaac Mool
USA, Ginnie Springs
USA, Ginnie Springs
USA, Eagle Nest
USA, Eagle Nest
Overhead- Wreck / ICE Penetration
2012 Fatalities List
Spain - Pasada Blanca
Switzerland-Chaudanne
USA - Vortex
USA - Ginnie Springs
USA - Weeki Wachee
France- St georges
Mexico - Chaac mool
Mexico - Chaac mool
Mexico - Chaac mool
Italy - Grotte Isola di Dino
France - Font Estrama
France - R. du Ressel
Russia-Ilyukhinskaya
Italy - Cueva del fuoco
Italy - Cueva del fuoco
Italy - Cueva del fuoco
Italy - Cueva del fuoco
USA - Big blue
Phillipines - Mapating Phillipines -Mapating
Belgium- Devils hole
2011 Fatalities List
Australia-Tank Cave
Ireland - Pollonora
UK - Pwll-y-Cwm
USA-WKPP-whisky still sink
Latvia- Missile Shaft
France-St Sauver
Mexico-Sitema Cocodrilo
Turkey-istambul
Mexico - Taj maha
Australia-Tank Cave
USA- Ginnie Springs
USA - Eaglenest
2012 Rebreather
Cave Diving Accident List
Spain-Pasada Blanca-CCR
Switzerland-Chaudanne-CCR
France - Font Estramar- CCR
France - Ressel - CCR
2011 Rebreather
Cave Diving Accident List
USA-WKPP-pSCR
France-landenouse-pSCR
Mexico-S. cocodrilo-CCR
USA - Eagle Nest -CCR
Copyright 2018 International Diving Research & Exploration Organization. All rights reserved.
IDREO
Torre Miami 1007
Cancun, Quintana Roo 77500
Mexico
ph: +52 1 984 1207905
HQ