Shallow-Water Diving Accidents At Southern California Ocean Beaches: Demographic, Sedimentologic, Medical, Legal And Management Perspectives

Diving accidents at ocean beaches sometimes leave the swimmer seriously injured and may have catastrophic consequences for the victim's life. "Plunging-dive" accidents involve swimmers who run or jog into shallow water and dive toward the base of an oncoming wave, striking their heads against either the gently-sloping seafloor, the slipface of a longshore ridge, or the bottom of a runnel or hole. This study documents the frequency and demographic characteristics of such accidents at two popluar beaches in southern California, along with relevant medical, biomechanical, sedimentological, managerial and legal perspectives. Grant no. NA 85AA-D-SG129 Grant no. NA 86AA-D-SG119