375 divers were treated at the Hyperbaric chambers in Malta and Gozo over the last five years. Sadly, official statistics list 31 deaths, averaging three a year.
Statistics tabled in Parliament related to diving accidents and diving deaths show a grim number which however needs to be put into the context. These islands now receive close to 150,000 diving tourists on these shores every year and many also venture in technical diving (diving well beyond 40m and carrying out more complex dives) which raises risk levels. Also one has to add the industry’s diving guides and instructors and a healthy number of local recreational divers within the resident population who may also carry upwards of 50 dives per year individually.
Hyperbaric Unit Admissions
Statistics provided in answer to a parliamentary question show a quite stable admission rate over the last four years averaging to about 70 divers per year.
- 2019 = 45
- 2020 = 51
- 2021 = 74
- 2022 = 69
- 2023 = 66
- 2024 = 70 (until end September 2024)
Fatalities
The statistic on deaths provided from the national register of deaths state that the number of deaths averaged three a year, and in total 31 since 2014. 24 of these divers were not residents in Malta, hence 77% of the fatal accidents can be attributed to visitors.
It must be noted that our own statistics from news reports differ, since just for this year we have four diver deaths recorded prior to September, and another one in October. For the previous year, we also record another case over and above the statistics below.
It is possible that certain specific cases may not be directly attributed to either of the two conditions provided, namely drowning while diving and barotrauma which is caused by pressure change due to diving – e.g. an uncontrolled ascent. On the other hand, our statistics (all gathered from public news reports) also include freedivers’ deaths which we mark as such where known.
Sobering statistics which need to remind us to keep up our safety training elements up to date, practice drills, check first aid equipment and protocols and yes, sometimes it is a good day to skip a dive if you’re not up for it.
We wish to remind those who might have been exposed to an accident or that may have otherwise suffered shock or mental anxiety following similar events to use services such as Olli chat, run by the Richmond Foundation or Helpline 1770.
