Failure to reliably recognise and control immersion pulmonary oedema risks in diving
First to latest report 5 Jan 2022 — 30 Apr 2026
Reports that mention this concern
3
Times this concern has been raised
4
Stated actions linked to this concern
10
What this concern includes
Includes failures of controls specifically dedicated to immersion pulmonary oedema in diving, including diver and medical-professional awareness, training, recognition of symptoms, risk advice during HSE medicals and escalation or referral arrangements.
What is not included
Excludes generic diving hazards, diving fitness certification and technical-diving medical-compliance failures where immersion pulmonary oedema is not the material concern.
Excludes generic medical training or awareness deficiencies unrelated to recognising or managing immersion pulmonary oedema in divers.
Excludes cold-water immersion, drowning and immersion-related hazards that do not specifically concern immersion pulmonary oedema.
Excludes clinical treatment failures after immersion pulmonary oedema has been reliably recognised and appropriately escalated.
Trends
Reports over time
Reports mentioning this concern, over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
British Diving Safety Group2
Decathlon UK1
General Medical Council1
Health and Safety Executive1
National Trading Standards1
N.D.A.C. Limited1
St Richard's Hospital1
The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents1
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust1
Private limited company2
Professional membership body2
Consumer protection enforcement body1
Health and care professional regulator1
Healthcare site1
NHS trust1
Registered charity1
Workplace safety regulator1
Reports and published responses 3 reports
See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response
Berkshire
Concerns raised2
Lack of requirement for HSE medical doctors to confirm advice about immersion pulmonary oedema risks
Insufficient awareness of immersion pulmonary oedema risks for divers with high blood pressure
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked responses
British Diving Safety Group
Health and Safety Executive
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.4
Health and Safety Executive
Remind approved medical examiners of the importance of explaining diving implications of medical conditions, particularly when divers are found unfit for work.
British Diving Safety Group
Continue promoting immersion pulmonary oedema risks through incident reports, publications, online channels, conferences, guidance, training, seminars and collaboration with water-safety organisations.
British Diving Safety Group
Integrate immersion pulmonary oedema guidance into the remaining Advanced Diver training programme as it is revised.
British Diving Safety Group
Publish a further immersion pulmonary oedema article and deliver a dedicated recorded webinar for professional members.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
British Diving Safety Group
Specific medical guidance for divers with high blood pressure should be provided by appropriately qualified medical professionals.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Surrey
Concerns raised1
Lack of medical-profession awareness and training on Immersion Pulmonary Oedema
This report raised 3 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
Recipient name withheld
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.3
Recipient name withheld
Existing medical education and training equip UK doctors to assess and manage rare acute conditions, including Immersion Pulmonary Oedema.
Existing arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Recipient name withheld
No further specific education or training intervention is required because Immersion Pulmonary Oedema is rare and its presentation and immediate management resemble other emergencies.
No action considered necessaryThe respondent said that no further action was needed.
Recipient name withheld
The level of training and medical education in Egypt is outside the respondent's jurisdiction, so it cannot comment on it.
Outside remitThe respondent said that this matter was outside its role or authority.
Gloucestershire
Concerns raised1
Lack of awareness of immersion pulmonary oedema risks among people participating in diving
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked responses
British Diving Safety Group
NDAC Ltd
United Kingdom Diving Medical Committee (UKDMC
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.6
United Kingdom Diving Medical Committee (UKDMC
Provide IPO information to diving organisations and divers through the website, magazines and other publications.
United Kingdom Diving Medical Committee (UKDMC
Provide IPO lectures for amateur divers and make recorded lectures freely accessible online.
United Kingdom Diving Medical Committee (UKDMC
Work with the British Diving Safety Group and its subcommittee to increase awareness of IPO.
British Diving Safety Group
Disseminate immersion pulmonary oedema risk information through conferences, incident reports, publications, websites, social media, webinars and water-safety engagement.
British Diving Safety Group
Produce and distribute guidance and refresher materials for divers and instructors addressing immersion pulmonary oedema.
British Diving Safety Group
Amend training materials and training programmes to teach immersion pulmonary oedema causes, presentation and distinguishing features.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
NDAC Ltd
Responsibility for current diving-operation safety arrangements lies with DTSL, the new operator, which should be contacted for further information.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.