TULAMBEN, Karangasem, Bali — An Australian national died on Tuesday afternoon during a diving excursion off the coast of Tulamben, a renowned dive site in eastern Bali, local police confirmed.
The victim was identified as Nathan John Scoot, 50. The incident occurred around midday in the waters of Tulamben, Kubu District, a location famous for the USAT Liberty shipwreck, a major attraction for recreational divers from around the world.
According to Kubu Police Chief AKP I Nyoman Sukarma, the preliminary investigation indicates that Mr. Scoot was diving with two instructors approximately 150 meters from shore. At a depth of about 15 meters (49 feet), he reportedly experienced a state of panic.
“The diver panicked and immediately removed his regulator at a depth of 15 meters,” Chief Sukarma stated.
After discarding his breathing apparatus, Mr. Scoot rapidly ascended to the surface—a dangerous action in diving known as an uncontrolled buoyant ascent, which can lead to serious injury or death. The instructors shouted for help to people on the shore.
A local resident who witnessed the commandoe launched a boat to reach the scene. By the time they arrived, Mr. Scoot was found floating and unresponsive. He was not breathing.
He was brought to shore and rushed to the Kubu Community Health Center (Puskesmas) for emergency medical attention. Medical personnel pronounced him dead upon examination, estimating he had passed away approximately one hour prior.
The initial medical examination, as reported by police, found signs consistent with a diving-related fatality, including lividity on the chest and back, a bitten tongue, and foam around the nose. The body had not yet entered rigor mortis.
Mr. Scoot’s remains have been placed at the Karangasem Regional General Hospital (RSUD) while awaiting repatriation arrangements by his family and the Australian consular authorities, who have been notified.
The incident casts a sobering light on the inherent risks of scuba diving, even in popular and typically well-serviced destinations like Tulamben. While the exact cause of the initial panic is under investigation, the tragedy underscores the critical importance of diver composure, proper safety protocols, and the challenges of managing emergencies in an aquatic environment. Local dive operators and the broader expatriate community in Bali have been alerted to the news.
#HeyBaliNews | Responsible Reporting for the Global Community in Indonesia