KOTA KINABALU: July 27, 2025 – A medical expert has called on scuba divers to review essential underwater safety protocols, following the death of a 31-year-old woman off Pulau Tioman.
A post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as arterial gas embolism (AGE). Dr Eugene Tan, medical adviser to the Sabah Dive Squad Club, explained that this serious injury occurs when expanding air tears lung tissue and enters the bloodstream during an ascent, often blocking blood flow to the brain or heart.
“Following the recent tragic loss of a diver off Pulau Tioman, it is crucial to review key underwater safety practices,” Dr Tan said in a statement.
He emphasised the need for continuous breathing, particularly while ascending. In the event of a rapid emergency ascent, he said divers must exhale continuously.
To simplify the rule, Dr Tan advised: “Do not ascend faster than your breath bubbles.”
He recommended that scuba divers ascend slowly at a rate of less than nine to 18 metres per minute, and perform a three-minute safety stop at five metres.
Dr Tan also stressed the importance of the buddy system, urging divers to maintain close contact with their companions. If separated, they should search for no more than one minute before making a slow ascent to regroup at the surface.
He further advised against diving for individuals with asthma, chest infections, or lung congestion.
In the event of an emergency, Dr Tan—an internal medicine specialist based at the Kota Kinabalu Regional Armed Forces Hospital in Sepanggar—said that a diver who surfaces confused or unconscious should be given 100% oxygen immediately, laid flat, and transported urgently to a hyperbaric chamber.
