Pacific Harbour, Fiji: This week Fiji played host to the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society's (SPUMS) 52nd Annual Scientific Meeting. The conference, held at The Pearl Resort, Pacific Harbour attracted just over 130 delegates and guests.

Each year at the SPUMS scientific conference, speakers present on important health and safety issues for snorkelers and divers, from venomous marine animals to the dangers of full-faced snorkel masks, and the treatment of decompression illness.

The fact that Fiji was chosen as a venue for this conference is significant. Few South Pacific destinations have the capacity to cater to over 100 divers each day at a single location, providing both a safe environment and spectacular diving.

“As the host country for the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society's 52nd Annual Scientific Meeting, Fiji is proud to showcase its exceptional diving opportunities and commitment to marine safety. With some of the world's best diving sites, Fiji offers not only spectacular underwater experiences but also a platform for critical discussions on health and safety for snorkelers and divers. We extend a warm vinaka vakalevu to all delegates and guests, inviting them to immerse themselves in Fiji's hospitality and natural wonders." - Tourism Fiji CEO, Brent Hill.

Conference Convenor Professor David Smart has a life-long personal affinity with Fiji. He has spent a lot of time over the past three decades training Fijian medical and nursing staff in Emergency Life Support and managing serious illness in remote environments. He has also assisted with training hyperbaric medical and nursing staff in managing diving emergencies, hyperbaric medicine and chamber operational safety at Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva.

Professor Smart said: “It is always a pleasure to return to Fiji. It starts with big friendly smiles, and even bigger bula and namaste welcomes. Everyone is so hospitable. Fijian doctors and nurses are so enthusiastic and keen to network with other South Pacific colleagues and gain new skills. The theme of this year's conference is very relevant to Fiji – recreational diving, which is a huge part of Fiji's tourism industry. Fiji has some of the world's best diving. Our conference delegates and guests are excited to be here and to enjoy everything Fiji has to offer. Vinaka vaka levu.”

Fiji's medical community were represented at the conference, with several Fijian medical practitioners awarded scholarships to attend, thanks to a partnership with SPUMS and the Australasian Diving Safety Foundation (ADSF).

Conference Scientific Convenor and SPUMS President, Dr Neil Banham, provides some insights to this year's scientific discussions.

“At this year's conference, the focus of scientific discussion is the current treatment of diver illnesses caused by heart health issues, the most significant of which is persistent foramen ovale (PFO). The outcome will be to provide the global medical community with the most up-to-date treatment for these types of diving related illnesses.”

Keynote Speaker for this year's conference is Dr Peter Wilmshurst, a British cardiologist and world authority on PFO and diving as well as immersion pulmonary oedema (IPO), reporting the first case.

While many delegates come from Australia, New Zealand, and nearby Pacific nations, some come from as far away as Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The five-day conference includes practical underwater sessions in Beqa Lagoon each morning, with the Scientific Program held in the afternoon.

All aspects of the conference, including accommodation, conference facilities and dive operations have been organised by dive specialist travel agency, Diveplanit Travel with diving managed locally by Aquatrek Fiji.

Diveplanit's Simon Mallender said, “It's been great to be able to deliver a Fiji dive experience for this large group of influential diving doctors.

Deborah Dickson-Smith adds; “In the planning of this event, we have worked closely with Fiji Airways, who, recognising the importance of dive tourism to Fiji, provided discounted airfares for delegates. Shout out too, to staff and management at The Pearl Resort and Aquatrek Fiji who have been amazing – we could not have done this without their consistent support”.

Media Enquiries: Deborah Dickson-Smith – 0419 618 466 deborah@diveplanit.com

Diveplanit Travel Pty Ltd

About South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society:

The South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society (SPUMS) arose out of informal discussions between two doctors in the Royal Australian Navy School of Underwater Medicine. They decided to create a medical society with a focus on matters significant to recreational divers. They opted to call it the South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society. SPUMS was founded in the Wardroom of HMAS Penguin, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on Monday, 03 March 1971.

The purposes of the Society have not changed since its inception. These are:

● to promote and facilitate the study of all aspects of underwater and hyperbaric medicine.

● to provide information on underwater and hyperbaric medicine.

● to promote communication between members and to publish a journal.

● to convene members annually at a scientific conference and to hold meetings and other activities to inform, and to develop fellowship and friendship amongst members.

About Diveplanit Travel:

Diveplanit Travel is a specialist scuba diving travel agency and wholesaler. It's founders, Deborah Dickson-Smith and Simon Mallender, are scuba divers and passionate ocean advocates, whose main mission in life is to encourage more people to see first-hand how incredible the underwater world really is, and hopefully care more about looking after it.

Specialising in tailor-made diving holidays – the Diveplanit Travel team pride themselves on finding the best travel combination for each client, taking care of everything along the way, from airfares and accommodation to dive equipment and transfers.