Sharp Rise in Dive Injuries Prompts Warning in Eilat
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
Yoseftal Medical Center in Eilat treated 35 divers for injuries between January and August 2026, a sharp increase from 12 in the same period last year. The hospital attributed the rise to safety violations like rapid ascents and skipped safety stops, affecting both new and experienced divers. Dr. Nir Pollak warned of the "blaring warning sign" and stressed adherence to safety protocols to prevent serious neurological damage.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- 35 divers were treated at Eilat's Yoseftal Medical Center from January to August 2026, up from 12 last year.
- The hospital reported a significant increase in hyperbaric chamber and emergency room treatments.
- Safety violations, including rapid ascents and skipped safety stops, were identified in several cases.
- Both novice and experienced divers were among those injured.
- Dr. Nir Pollak called the rise a "blaring warning sign" for the diving community.
- Decompression sickness can cause neurological damage and requires adherence to safety rules.
The number of divers treated for injuries at Yoseftal Medical Center in Eilat has significantly increased, with 35 cases recorded between January and August 2026, compared to 12 in the same period last year. The hospital, part of the Clalit Health Services group, also reported a rise in hyperbaric chamber and emergency room treatments from 12 to 40. Some patients required prolonged therapy to prevent permanent neurological damage.
Investigations into several incidents revealed safety violations, including excessively rapid ascents, failure to perform safety stops, and repeated dives without adequate rest. The injured included both novice and experienced divers. In one instance, a 47-year-old woman and her 52-year-old partner, a trained technical diver, were hospitalized after ascending quickly from approximately 18 meters, suffering from severe vomiting and requiring urgent hyperbaric treatment.
Another case involved a diver who, after skipping a safety stop during a night dive, completed three more dives the following day. She experienced tingling and pain radiating to her back and chest, necessitating hospitalization and a series of hyperbaric treatments. A group of divers also ascended directly from 25 meters without safety stops, leading to neurological symptoms and urgent medical care for some members.
Even divers adhering to safety protocols can experience issues; one 26-year-old female diver, who reportedly followed all safety rules during an 18-meter dive, developed limb numbness and severe headaches hours later, requiring hyperbaric treatment and internal medicine hospitalization.
Dr. Nir Pollak, a senior dive doctor at Yoseftal, described the surge in injuries as a "blaring warning sign" for the Eilat diving community, emphasizing that decompression sickness affects all divers equally regardless of experience. He highlighted the critical importance of controlled ascent rates, safety stops, sufficient rest between dives, and hydration, noting that symptoms appearing hours after a dive also warrant medical attention.