A highly experienced British diving instructor remains critically ill in India after becoming seriously unwell shortly after a scuba dive in the Maldives.
Angela Munro, 69, from Eastwood in Essex, became critically ill on 22 July following what her family has described as an uneventful dive. Her condition deteriorated rapidly and she was placed in an induced coma and on life support.
Two days later, Munro was transferred by medical evacuation flight to a specialist facility in New Delhi, India, where hyperbaric treatment is available.
According to a fundraising appeal established by her family and friends, Munro was initially too medically unstable to undergo hyperbaric chamber therapy. The treatment eventually began on 30 July.
Her family said the therapy was being used to treat severe decompression illness. Munro has also required continuous dialysis because her kidneys were not functioning.
Although her family has reported signs of improvement, her long term prognosis remains uncertain.
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Cause of illness remains unclear
The circumstances surrounding Munro’s sudden deterioration have not been established.
Her family said they reviewed information from her dive computer together with a report supplied by the dive centre involved.
According to their account, the dive reached no deeper than 30 metres and lasted 42 minutes. Munro was using Nitrox, and the family said the recorded descent, ascent and safety stops showed nothing unusual or concerning.
They said it remains unclear why she became seriously ill shortly after returning to the boat.
No independent medical report identifying the cause of Munro’s condition has been made public.
Munro is an experienced diving professional. Dive Odyssea in Rochford, Essex, lists her as a PADI Master Instructor and IAHD Instructor. Her family says she has more than 26 years of diving experience and has logged more than 3,000 dives around the world.
She has also received recognition for underwater photography and videography.
Family launches fundraising appeal
Munro’s family has launched an online fundraising campaign to help cover medical and related expenses during what they expect could be a prolonged period of treatment.
According to the family, Munro had diving insurance through DAN Europe. They say they were subsequently informed that medical coverage under the policy was limited to 30 days from the date of the incident.
Diventures has not independently verified the terms of the insurance policy, and DAN Europe has not been quoted publicly regarding Munro’s individual case.
Her family said doctors have warned that treatment and recovery could take several months before she is considered well enough to return to the United Kingdom.
Outside diving, Munro manages a care home supporting adults with severe learning and physical disabilities. Her family described her as a devoted mother and grandmother who has seven grandchildren.
The fundraising appeal is being supported by her family and members of the Dive Odyssea community in Essex.
The exact cause of Munro’s illness remains unclear, and no official medical findings concerning the incident have been publicly released.
Operations and Marketing Manager at Diventures, holds an advanced diver certification and writes outstanding articles for both the website and digital publications. She contributes to every step of the process with her creativity and organizational skills.
