Coroner warns of full-face snorkel mask dangers after Andover death
A 56-year-old man from the town died while visiting family in Australia
A coroner has warned of the dangers of full-face snorkelling masks after a man from Andover died of oxygen deprivation during a visit to family in Australia.
John Bazzoni had travelled to Karratha in the Pilbara region of Western Australia to visit his daughter, Nicola Roman, for Christmas 2017.
But during a snorkelling trip to Lady Nora Island with his son-in-law Sean Roman, a police officer, on New Year’s Eve, the 56-year-old got into difficulties.
An inquest in Winchester heard that Mr Bazzoni, a painter and decorator, was a “poor swimmer” and had previously been helped from the water after panicking when water got into his snorkelling mask.
However, for this trip, Mr Bazzoni had bought a Go Fun 180-degree full-face mask on Amazon as he believed this would prevent water getting in, which had previously happened with traditional masks because of his moustache breaking the seal.
Mrs Roman told the hearing she had warned her father about the dangers of the ocean and he had replied that “he couldn’t think of a better way to die than snorkelling over coral in paradise”.
Statement
In a statement, Mr Roman said he had jumped into the water to help Mr Bazzoni, after he began to wave for help while 20m from the boat and drifting further away.
He said: “John stopped snorkelling, lifted his head out of the water and raised one of his hands. I think he called “Sean, come here”. I didn’t like John’s voice – it was panicked.”
He said when he reached him, Mr Bazzoni grabbed hold of him, and added that he could see a cupful of water pooled in the face mask.
He said he supported him until his friend, Simon Harrison, also arrived and was able to take him back to the boat, by which time Mr Bazzoni had lost consciousness and died despite attempts to resuscitate him.
Verdict
Coroner Jason Pegg said there are “concerns globally” that such full-face masks do not allow exhaled air to be purged through normal breathing, leading to a build-up of carbon dioxide.
Recording a verdict of death by misadventure, he said: “John was swimming in the sea, wearing a full face snorkelling mask, when he got into difficulties.
“The mask restricted John’s ability to breathe by causing a build-up of carbon dioxide in the mask, as a consequence of which John developed hypoxia. His swimming ability and sea conditions at the time contributed to his death.”
He continued: “There are clearly causes for concern about the use of this mask, the Go Fun snorkelling mask full face. As a coroner, I do have powers to make a Prevention of Future Deaths report; however, Go Fun are no longer trading or selling this mask so I am unable to make a report as there is no-one I can properly write to about my concerns about using the mask.”
A post-mortem examination showed Mr Bazzoni died of hypoxia – oxygen deprivation – with a secondary cause of cardiovascular disease.
Tribute
At the inquest, which was also attended by Mr Bazzoni’s other daughters, Amy and Victoria, Mrs Roman paid tribute to their father, saying: “Dad had a real joy for most aspects of life, apart from work.
“He was an adventurer, he enjoyed travelling, he loved us, myself and my sisters, and we were never in any doubt about that. He was a really fun person to be around and spend time with.”