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A 31-year-old Malaysian diver has died off Pulau Tioman, Malaysia, after becoming separated from her group during a recreational dive.
According to a statement by Rompin Police chief Superintendent Sharif Shai Sharif, the woman, who has been named as Heng Jing Ying, was diving at the Seafan dive site near Batu Malang on the island of Pulau Tulai on 19 July.
Heng had attended an AWARE Coral Reef Conservation programme at Tioman Dive Buddy Centre on the previous two days, and was diving with nine other participants, an instructor and a divemaster when the incident occurred.
According to Supt Sharif Shai, Heng became separated from the group at a depth of around 17.6 metres (58ft), prompting her instructor to begin a search.
She was found approximately 30 minutes later, lying on the sandy seabed not far from the dive site.
Heng was brought back on board the dive boat and CPR was performed, but she remained unresponsive. She was taken to Kampung Tekek Clinic, where she was pronounced dead.
Her body was transferred to the Forensic Unit at Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital in Kuantan for a post-mortem examination.
Police said the post-mortem determined the cause of death to be arterial gas embolism (AGE).
AGE is usually the result of a lung overexpansion injury (pulmonary barotrauma) caused by trapped gas expanding during ascent, rupturing lung tissue and forcing air bubbles into the arterial bloodstream.
Lung overexpansion injuries are most commonly associated with breath-holding during ascent or air trapping by underlying lung conditions such as asthma.
Supt Sharif Shai said police were conducting a full investigation, including examining whether negligence or technical issues may have contributed to the incident, but added that no evidence of criminal activity had been found and the case had been classified as a sudden death.
He said that prior to the dive in which Heng died, all participants had been given a safety briefing as well as an explanation on the correct use of scuba gear, even though they were all certified divers.
He nevertheless urged people taking part in diving, water sports and other outdoor activities to follow safety procedures, use appropriate equipment and dive with certified operators.
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