Diving-related death

Something to consider

Recreational diving is often described as a relatively safe activity, when the recommended procedures are followed. One study reports a rate of 1.8 deaths per million recreational dives, (Buzzacott, 2018). Comparatively, the fatality rate in scuba diving is lower than in other high-risk activities such as base jumping or mountaineering. However, Comparatively, the fatality rate in scuba diving is lower than in other high-risk activities such as base jumping or mountaineering. However, there are still risks, including injury and death. The risk of death can increase significantly if divers do not follow safety protocols, dive beyond their training level, or dive in hazardous conditions. Fatal incidents become more likely as risk-taking increases, such as in deep, technical diving and overhead environments (e.g. wrecks and caves). So, while relatively rare, deaths do occur in scuba-diving and can significantly impact surviving divers and loved-ones. This page focuses on coping after the loss of a diver.

Range of Impact

How you are affected by the death of a diver depends on your relationship to the person who died, your experience of the event and the roles you occupied.

  • Bereavement

    This is the experience of losing someone who is important to us, such as a family member, friend or buddy. If you knew the diver who died then you are likely to be bereaved.

  • Responsibility

    Feelings of responsibility are common after someone dies unexpectedly. Often this is misplaced; an attempt to feel in control in the face of the unthinkable. Having a role of authority (e.g. guide, instructor, team-leader) can make these feelings more likely.

  • Witnessing Death

    Another experience you may have is that of witnessing the death of a diver. Even if you did not know the person, this can be traumatic and can have an impact on you.

Bereavement

Losing a friend, buddy or family member

If the diver, or divers, who died were people you were close to, then it is likely that you will experience bereavement. People go through bereavement in a range of ways.  Grief is the natural emotion we feel when something or someone is taken from us.  We also talk about grieving as a process, one that brings up many other intense emotions, such as guilt, anger, shame, sadness and despair. Also numbness, because sometimes the emotions are so painful that they trigger protective disconnection from feelings.

In short, whatever you are feeling is understandable as a reaction to loss.

Following bereavement, people tend to go through some common stages.  These are not always in the same order for everyone:

  • Denial and disbelief
  • Anger (at self, others or the person who died)
  • Bargaining (the "if only.."s)
  • Depression, which is a valid and understandable response to death
  • Acceptance


It is tempting to focus on "getting over" the loss or attempting to "get rid" of painful feelings.  However, when someone who matters to you dies, it will hurt.  The emotions experienced are natural reactions to that loss. Focus on self-care, rest and connection to other people, pets and/or nature as ways to support yourself through grief. 

You can find more information about grief and bereavement on the Mind website.  

Growing around loss

A short video describing the concept of living with loss

Support for Bereavement

The organisations listed are mainly UK-based. If you are outwith the UK, consider similar support services.

  • Consult your doctor (GP) for local bereavement support and counselling services.

  • Bereavement counselling is offered by a range of private providers and may be an option if you are able to self-fund. If you have health insurance, contact your provider to discuss what is available.

  • Cruse is a UK charity that provides a helpline (0808 808 1677) and support for people who are going through bereavement. Go to cruse.org.uk for details and more tips.

  • Consider peer support services, where people from the same community or going through similar issues support each other. At the time of writing, I am not aware of such networks in the diving community. Consider asking your agency or club for options.

Mixed bereavement and trauma

Different processes

Losing a loved-one unexpectedly as the result of an accident or incident may be in itself traumatic.  If you were also present at the scene, then it's likely that you also witnessed a highly distressing event. Perhaps your own life was also threatened at some point in the event, or you yourself were injured.  It may be that you are at risk of post-traumatic stress or other trauma-related conditions.

Remember that trauma, while it often goes with bereavement, is a different aspect of the experience.  Often, trauma and grief can get locked in together and cause a person to be "stuck": unable to heal from the trauma and move into grieving.  This is known as complicated or delayed grief.  Although grief in the face of loss is unavoidable, there is a lot we can do to support the recovery from trauma. 

Help for trauma and distress

See the page on help after a distressing or traumatic dive.

Legal Implications

Police Investigations and Charges

A death arising from an incident in scuba diving is considered sudden or unexpected. In most countries the police investigation will be carried out to determine causes and, identify whether a crime has been committed. Charges are sometimes brought against other divers, guides, instructors, skippers, centre owners or people associated in some other way. These investigations and legal proceedings may go on for considerable time. Whether or not there is fault/intent, this process can be distressing for all involved.
Legal proceedings and accessing therapy

Witnessing a fatal diving incident

When the diver was not known to you

Even when someone is not known to you, being involved in a fatal diving incident can have an impact. If you had a role that involved responsibility, such as a guide or instructor, then reviewing actions and possible accountability is necessary. This may also be the case as a buddy or rescuer. Feelings of guilt, shame or responsibility are common reactions to trauma, and often occur even for those who are not at fault. Witnessing death can also generate feelings of grief for ones own life or loved-ones. After such significant adverse events, there is a role for debriefing and support. Specifically, psychological first aid and attending an operational debrief (where appropriate).
Information about debriefing

Other forms of Loss

Adverse events in diving may lead to various forms of loss: friendships, community, money, physical function or loss of equipment.

INDEX

List of all resource pages to support divers after an adverse event