Positive reform of tuna farm diving in South Australia in response to government intervention
P Whytea, D J Dooletteb, D F Gormana c, D S Craigd
a Department of
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide,
Australia, b Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care,
The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia 5005, c Department of Medicine, University of
Auckland, Auckland, Australia, d Workplace
Services, Department for Administrative and Information Services,
Government of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
Correspondence to: Dr D Doolette David.Doolette@adelaide .edu.au
Accepted 12 September
2000
OBJECTIVES
Much of the
tuna harvested in South Australia since 1990 has involved "farming"
techniques requiring the use of divers. From 1993 to 1995, 17 divers
from this industry were treated for decompression illness (DCI). In
response, the State Government introduced corrective strategies. A
decrease in the number of divers presenting for treatment was
subsequently recorded. Consequently, the hypothesis was tested that the
government intervention resulted in a decrease in the incidence of DCI
in the industry and an improved clinical outcome of divers with DCI.
METHODSThe incidence
of treated DCI in tuna farm divers was estimated from the number of
divers with DCI treated and the number of dives undertaken extrapolated
from a survey of the industry in 1997-8. General health was measured
in the tuna farm diving population by a valid and reliable self
assessment questionnaire. The outcome of the divers treated for DCI was
analysed with a modified clinical severity scoring system.
RESULTSThe apparent
incidence of treated DCI has decreased in tuna farm divers since the
government intervention. The evidence supports a truly decreased
incidence rather than underreporting. The general health of the tuna
farm divers was skewed towards the asymptomatic end of the range,
although health scores indicative of DCI were reported after 1.7% of
the dives that did not result in recognised DCI. The clinical outcome
of the divers treated since the intervention has improved, possibly
because of earlier recognition of the disease and hence less time spent
diving while having DCI.
CONCLUSIONSThe
government intervention in the tuna industry in South Australia has
resulted in a reduced incidence of DCI in the industry.
Keywords: decompression illness; aquaculture; education; professional
© 2001 by Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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This article has been cited by other articles:
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Doolette, D J, Gorman, D F
(2003). Evaluation of decompression safety in an occupational diving group using self reported diving exposure and health status. Occup. Environ. Med.
60: 418-422
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