SCUBA Diving Fatality by Overweighted Belt: An Autopsy Case
10.7580/kjlm.2019.43.4.164
- Author:
Youn Shin KIM
1
Author Information
1. Department of Forensic Medicine, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea. ysk007fm@hotmail.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Scuba diving;
Overweighted belt;
Drowning;
Autopsy
- MeSH:
Autopsy;
Diving;
Drowning;
Expeditions;
Overweight;
Sports;
Water
- From:Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
2019;43(4):164-166
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Scuba diving is a popular sports activity, even though it is associated with potential hazards. When a diver enters the water for an underwater expedition, he/she needs a series of diving gear, including a regulator, buoyancy compensator, diving suit, and weight belt, among others. Here, the author encountered a fatal diving accident wherein autopsy showed the evidence of death by drowning. The witness stated that the diver requested more weight to descend into the water, and the diver wore one more weight belt, totalling 26 kg. After a second trial of diving, he did not grab the regulator and disappeared into the water suddenly, and bubbles did not appear at the surface. Based on the witness statement and autopsy findings, the original cause of accident was concluded as an overweighted belt for descent into the water.
