Emergency Contact Case study: Death of a snorkeler Home Latest updates Publications Case study: Death of a snorkeler 11 Apr 2017 Download page as PDF Sign up for alerts The Incident The vessel was carrying passengers to a designated dive site to carry out snorkelling activities. Upon arrival at the site a Dive Site Risk Assessment Form was completed by the Chief Officer on board, who noted the sea to be slightly choppy with a medium current. He considered the undertaking of the day’s diving activities in such conditions to carry a risk score of ‘medium’. Based on this assessment, the crew proceeded to carry out the required safety briefings, using company issued information booklets and procedures. All passengers were verbally advised of the risks associated with snorkelling. The crew also asked passengers to make any medical conditions known. The passenger concerned in the incident had read and signed a medical declaration form, affirming that he was not suffering from any medical conditions. However, being overweight and over 50 years old, the passenger fell into the operator’s high risk category for a male, and so the passenger advised the Chief Officer that he was not likely to snorkel and may just swim. Shortly after the male passenger entered the water he was observed by the ship’s crew lying motionless in the water. The alarm was raised immediately to the rescue tender and the company’s Snorkel Emergency Procedure was activated. All departments responded quickly to the emergency and within five minutes the passenger was recovered and transferred to the rescue tender where CPR commenced. Unfortunately, attempts to revive the passenger were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene. After an autopsy it was declared the passenger was suffering from an inherent heart disease, which had resulted in a cardiac arrest. Observations The dive company’s In-Water Operations Manual states that, as a minimum, all guests reporting a medical condition, assessed at