Vomitus as a cause of fatal diving accident of a commercial diver

Novomeský F, Krajcovic J, Stuller F.

Institute of Forensic Medicine and Medical Expertises, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Martin, Slovak Republic. novomesky@fmed.uniba.sk

Abstract

The forensic expertise of the victim of fatal diving accident (commercial diver), who died in depth of 41 mts due of unknown reasons, had been realised by the authors. One of the authors of the paper was present on site of the diving accident as a diving medicine specialist. The autopsy revealed, that the cause of death of the diver was suffocation due to vomitus and massive aspiration of gastric content to the airways. The commercial diving technology (full-face diving mask with oro-nasal inner mask) was used. The authors point out some peculiarities in interpretation of such a fatal diving accident.