Abstract:
:Dear Editor, By focussing on the details of the Watson case, I believe Bryan Walpole has missed the thrust of my earlier letter. I agree this was a complex case, which is why I deliberately avoided the murky specifics in order to consider the 'big-picture' ramifications of the judgement. My concerns relate to the potential consequences of the unintended interplay between unrelated developments in the medical and legal arenas. Taken together, I believe these developments threaten the very institution of buddy diving. I have been unable to verify Dr Walpole's claim that the statute under which Mr Watson was convicted has not been used previously in a criminal trial. I must, however, refute his assertion that this legislation is some sort of idiosyncratic historical hangover or legal curiosity unique to Queensland. Although the original legislation pre-dates Australian federation, this statute has survived intact through 110 years of reviews and amendments to the Queensland Criminal Code. The application of this 19th century law to the Watson case now provides a direct, post-federation, 21st century relevance. Nor is Queensland alone in having such a statute on its books. Section 151 of the Criminal Code Act in Dr Walpole's home state of Tasmania states "When a person undertakes to do any act, the omission to do which is or may be dangerous to human life or health, it is his duty to do that act." Similar statutes can also be found in the legislation of other Australian states and as far afield as New Zealand and Canada. The phrasing of the relevant sections is, in many cases, almost identical to Queensland's, reflecting the common judicial heritage of these places. Even if this ruling's reach extended no further than the Queensland border its ramifications would be immense. Tourism statistics reveal that over 1.2 million visitors perform nearly 3.5 million dives/snorkels in Queensland each year. An estimated 93% of international divers visiting Australia stopover in Queensland and 40% of domestic recreational diving holidays occur there. This ruling, however, has implications potentially far beyond this single State. In the absence of local precedents, courts may examine precedents arising in other jurisdictions with which they share a common legal heritage. Rare cases may indeed make bad law but precedent is one of the cornerstones of our legal system. The medical profession, through the revised SPUMS guidelines on recreational diving medical examinations, has now made explicit the level of support expected from dive buddies (e.g., to diabetic divers). The legal profession, through the Watson judgement, has demonstrated the potential consequences of failure to perform an act that a diver has undertaken to perform towards their buddy. The halcyon days of casually agreeing to act as someone's buddy are now gone. Serious consideration should be given to the personal consequences of undertaking this role. The potential to face a custodial sentence for criminally negligent manslaughter if a diver fails in his/her duty-of-care increases the pressure to save their buddy at all costs - or die in the attempt.
journal_name
Diving Hyperb Medjournal_title
Diving and hyperbaric medicineauthors
Cooper PDsubject
Has Abstractpub_date
2011-12-01 00:00:00pages
238issue
4eissn
1833-3516issn
2209-1491journal_volume
41pub_type
信件abstract:BACKGROUND:Since 2009, the United Kingdom diving incident data show an increasing number of fatalities in the over-50s age group. Previous studies also suggest some divers take cardiac medications. Since 2001, diving medicals have not been mandatory for UK sport divers. Instead, an annual medical self-certification for...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2015-09-01 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:The Diver Emergency Service (DES) in Australia provides specialised medical advice on diving incidents 24 hours a day to divers, dive operators, families and health professionals. It is operated from the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit of the Royal Adelaide Hospital where the physician-on-call also carries the DE...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2012-09-01 00:00:00
abstract::Divers from many countries travel to explore various diving sites worldwide. In 2005, the Divers Alert Network (DAN) wrote guidelines for recreational diving and diabetes mellitus, but there is no up-to-date consensus or adoption of international guidelines on diabetes and diving. There are also large differences betw...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2012-12-01 00:00:00
abstract::Sphenoid sinus mucocele is a rare cystic lesion. It grows gradually and causes visual disturbances, ocular motility abnormalities and headache due to cavernous sinus compression. Sudden change in sinus cavity volume by a barotrauma may compress a mucocele and precipitate symptoms that may easily be confused with decom...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.28920/dhm50.2.168-172
更新日期:2020-06-30 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:In studies of decompression procedures, ultrasonically detected venous gas emboli (VGE) are commonly used as a surrogate outcome if decompression sickness (DCS) is unlikely to be observed. There is substantial variability in observed VGE grades, and studies should be designed with sufficient power to detec...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2014-03-01 00:00:00
abstract::The South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society (SPUMS) diving medical for recreational scuba divers was last reviewed in 2011. From 2011 to 2019, considerable advancements have occurred in cardiovascular risk assessment relevant to divers. The SPUMS 48th (2019) Annual Scientific Meeting theme was cardiovascular risk as...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 指南
doi:10.28920/dhm50.3.273-277
更新日期:2020-09-30 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Both negative wound pressure therapy (NPWT) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) are useful modalities in the treatment of problem wounds. However, none of the commercially available portable negative-pressure devices have been certified safe for use in a recompression chamber. Thus, the NPWT device is remov...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章,随机对照试验
doi:
更新日期:2011-09-01 00:00:00
abstract::Divers suspected of suffering decompression illness (DCI) in locations remote from a recompression chamber are sometimes treated with in-water recompression (IWR). There are no data that establish the benefits of IWR compared to conventional first aid with surface oxygen and transport to the nearest chamber. However, ...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章,评审
doi:10.28920/dhm48.2.84-95
更新日期:2018-06-30 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:We have previously shown that hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) increased insulin sensitivity in men who were obese or overweight, both with and without type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to test whether this insulin-sensitising effect is seen in hyperbaric air (HA). METHODS:Men with type 2 diabe...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章,随机对照试验
doi:10.28920/dhm50.4.386-390
更新日期:2020-12-20 00:00:00
abstract::Exposure to hyperoxia is associated with oxidative stress and is known to cause inflammation in the lung and the airways. Exhaled nitric oxide concentration (FENO) is a marker of some inflammatory processes in the lung and airways, and is reduced immediately after a single session of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) exposure. ...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2009-06-01 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:Various prescribed and over-the-counter medications may theoretically be incompatible with the diving environment. Anecdotally, it is known divers regularly take medications around the time of their diving activities for different health conditions, possibly ignoring the recommendations not to do so. As pa...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2011-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:In-water resuscitation has recently been proposed in the European resuscitation guidelines. Initiation of mechanical ventilation underwater might be considered when an immediate ascent to the surface is impossible or dangerous. The present study evaluated the feasibility of such ventilation underwater. ME...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2013-06-01 00:00:00
abstract::Commercial or occupational breath-hold (BH) harvest divers along the coast and islands of Japan are collectively called Ama divers. Repetitive BH diving by Ama divers may place them at risk of developing neurological decompression sickness (DCS). We report a 74-year-old Ama diver who demonstrated right hemiparesis dur...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type:
doi:10.28920/dhm48.4.262-263
更新日期:2018-12-24 00:00:00
abstract::Basic life support (BLS) in a diving bell (DB) or deck decompression chamber (DDC) is difficult due to the confined space and limited equipment. Retrieval of the unconscious diver into the DB requires the use of a pulley system. Once inside the bell, space limitations dictate that any resuscitative efforts are attempt...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2008-06-01 00:00:00
abstract::It has been shown that a single bout of exercise performed 20 hours prior to hyperbaric exposure reduces bubble formation and increases survival in rats. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are stress proteins expressed in cells that are exposed to different stressors. HSPs are known to protect cells, by binding to proteins an...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2008-12-01 00:00:00
abstract:BACKGROUND:Colorectal cancer is the third most common form of cancer and colorectal surgery is the treatment of choice in local disease. Anastomotic leakage following colorectal surgery is a major complication with a high incidence and mortality. Adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) may be associated with reduct...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章,meta分析
doi:10.28920/dhm48.3.173-185
更新日期:2018-09-30 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:Running out of air, buoyancy problems and rapid ascents are known risk factors for diving morbidity and mortality. The effects of the diving environment and equipment and the influence of individual diver characteristics on these risks were studied. METHODS:Between 1995 and 2004, Project Dive Exploration ...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2009-12-01 00:00:00
abstract::Decompression illness (DCI) is a syndrome with diverse clinical manifestations but in which cardiac symptoms are rare. In the presence of cardiac symptoms, the necessity to rule out an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) which requires prompt treatment may result in delay to appropriate recompression treatment. We describe ...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2013-12-01 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:Scuba diving involves risks, and candidates in Australia usually have a medical evaluation prior to undertaking a diving course. Hyperbaric physicians act as secondary referral practitioners for these assessments. This study aimed to identify reasons for these secondary referrals, and document the assessme...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2010-09-01 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:When a standard water-seal pleural drain unit (PDU) is used under hyperbaric conditions there are scenarios where excessive negative intrapleural pressure (IPP) and/or fluid reflux can be induced, risking significant morbidity. We developed and tested a pleural vacuum relief (PVR) device which automaticall...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.28920/dhm47.3.191-197
更新日期:2017-09-01 00:00:00
abstract::A case of a 24-year-old gentleman who had pulmonary barotrauma (PBT) after diving is reported. He presented with chest pain after the second of two uneventful shallow SCUBA dives. Computerized tomography (CT) scan confirmed the diagnosis and he was treated conservatively. Relevant radiology and a discussion of PBT are...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type:
doi:10.28920/dhm50.1.66-69
更新日期:2020-03-31 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:Decompression illness (DCI) is associated with a right-to-left shunt, such as persistent foramen ovale (PFO), atrial septal defect (ASD) and pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. About one-quarter of the population have a PFO, but considerably less than one-quarter of divers suffer DCI. Our aim was to det...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2015-06-01 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:During a hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) session, every medical device that is used within the hyperbaric chamber is exposed to several hazards, including an increased ambient pressure and partial pressure of oxygen. In Europe, all medical devices marketed and/or sold for use in hyperbaric conditions must...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.28920/dhm49.2.137-140
更新日期:2019-06-30 00:00:00
abstract:OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to further the understanding of the opening of the Eustachian tube in relation to changes in barometric pressure. DESIGN:An ear canal microphone was used to measure the specific sounds related to tube opening and possible eardrum movements. Five subjects with normal tube functio...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2016-03-01 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:After a maximal apnoea, breath-hold divers must restore O2 levels and clear CO2 and lactic acid produced. High intensity interval training (HIIT) and inspiratory muscle training (IMT) could be employed with the aim of increasing recovery capacity. This study aimed to evaluate the relative effects of IMT ve...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章,随机对照试验
doi:10.28920/dhm50.4.318-324
更新日期:2020-12-20 00:00:00
abstract::It is increasingly common for recreational scuba divers to use breathing mixtures enriched with additional oxygen ('nitrox' or 'enriched air nitrogen') and for technical divers to be exposed to elevated partial pressures of oxygen for prolonged periods of time. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration oxyge...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:
更新日期:2008-06-01 00:00:00
abstract::Gas micronuclei are gas-filled voids in liquids from which bubbles can form at low gas supersaturation. If water is depleted of gas micronuclei, high gas supersaturation is required for bubble formation. This high gas supersaturation is required in part to overcome the Laplace pressure at the point of transition from ...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 信件
doi:10.28920/dhm49.1.64
更新日期:2019-03-31 00:00:00
abstract::Cerebral arterial gas embolism (CAGE) from breath-holding or inadequate exhalation during ascent is a well-recognised complication of scuba diving. It does not usually occur with breath-hold (BH) diving in those with normal lungs, as the volume of gas in the lungs on surfacing cannot exceed what it was on leaving the ...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type:
doi:10.28920/dhm49.4.304-305
更新日期:2019-12-20 00:00:00
abstract::Vomiting and aspiration of gastric contents into the airways and lungs is a common and well-known clinicopathological entity. This phenomenon might also occur in underwater diving, where it can lead to life-threatening or fatal situations. This article presents two incidents involving diving-related vomiting with asso...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.28920/dhm48.1.36-39
更新日期:2018-03-31 00:00:00
abstract:INTRODUCTION:Transcutaneous oximetry measurement (TCOM) is a non-invasive method of determining oxygen tension at the skin level using heated electrodes. AIM:To compare TCOM values generated by different machines and to establish lower limb TCOM values in a cohort of healthy individuals younger than 40 years of age. ...
journal_title:Diving and hyperbaric medicine
pub_type: 杂志文章
doi:10.28920/dhm47.2.82-87
更新日期:2017-06-01 00:00:00