Diving Hyperb Med. 2026 Mar 31;56(1):48-51. doi: 10.28920/dhm56.1.48-51.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This study’s aim was to determine the number of scuba tank fills done in Victoria, Australia from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 to provide an estimate of the number of scuba dives conducted during that period and, from that, estimates of the fatality and decompression illness rates.
METHODS: Suppliers of compressed gas for scuba diving in Victoria were identified through internet searches, industry liaison and the Australasian Diving Safety Foundation records. Those identified were emailed an invitation to participate in the tank fill survey and provided with dedicated spreadsheets. Email reminders were sent to collect monthly data on air, nitrox and ‘other’ fills. Data were compiled and, at the end of the survey period, non-regular participants were approached to provide actual numbers or estimates of the year’s fills.
RESULTS: Overall, 38/40 (95%) identified current suppliers participated in the survey, with 27 submitting regular monthly data and the remainder providing actual or estimated annual fills. There were 46,720 reported fills, including 39,386 air, 6,758 nitrox, and 576 others, with proportions of 84%, 15% and 1%, respectively. During that period, 11 scuba divers were treated for decompression illness (DCI) (eight of whom had dived locally) and there were two fatalities.
CONCLUSIONS: It is estimated that around 50,000 scuba tank fills were provided, equating to approximately 50,000 dives conducted in Victorian waters during from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. During that period, there were eight open circuit divers who had dived in Victoria treated for DCI and two scuba diving fatalities, yielding estimates of 16 DCI cases and four deaths per 100,000 dives.
PMID:41875441 | DOI:10.28920/dhm56.1.48-51
