Positive reform of tuna farm diving in South Australia in response to government intervention

Objectives - Much of the tuna harvested in South Australia since 1990 has i nvolved "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 dec rease in the number of divers presenting for treatment was subsequently rec orded. Consequently, the hypothesis was tested that the government interven tion resulted in a decrease in the incidence of DCI in the industry and an improved clinical outcome of divers with DCI. Methods - The incidence of treated DCI in tuna farm divers was estimated fr om 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 m easured in the tuna farm diving population by a valid and reliable self ass essment questionnaire. The outcome of the divers treated for DCI was analys ed with a modified clinical severity scoring system. Results - The apparent incidence of treated DCI has decreased in tuna farm divers since the government intervention. The evidence supports a truly dec reased 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 treat ed since the intervention has improved, possibly because of earlier recogni tion of the disease and hence less time spent diving while having DCI. Conclusions - The government intervention in the tuna industry in South Aus tralia has resulted in a reduced incidence of DCI in the industry.