Dangers of diving noted

Press, 20 October 1983, Page 14

Dangers of diving noted

PA Tauranga The public should be aware of the dangers of diving without adequate training for the depth and without proper supervision, says the Tauranga Coroner, Mr M. J. Cooney. He returned a finding of death from air embolism at the inquest into the death of William Maxwell Burton, aged 47, who died after diving near Motiti Island on July 30 while on an organised diving trip. The Coroner said he could only be critical of the system adopted during the diving. If a more experienced diver had been Mr Burton’s “buddy” he could have helped Mr Burton when he ran out of air.

Mr Burton, who had basic scuba and one star qualifications but only three days diving experience, had surfaced in a distressed condit(®with his air tanks showing zero pressure, his depth recorder showing 90ft and

his dive time recorder showing 17 minutes.

Efforts to resuscitate him had failed.

Sergeant R. B. McNaughton, of Mount Maunganui, said it was believed that Mr Burton’s diving companion had been a girl, aged 15, with a similar level of diving experience. Dr I. W. M. Taylor, a pathologist, said that a rapid ascent from 90ft would trap air in the lungs, which would expand and rupture. The Coroner said organisers of diving parties had a responsibility to make sure the proper procedures were followed..