SPUMS - South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society

30/01/2026

SPUMS 54th Annual Scientific Meeting – Early bird prices end tomorrow!

Registrations for SPUMS 54th Scientific Meeting are at record levels for a SPUMS ASM and the ‘Eary Bird’ prices end tomorrow - 31 January 2026. This is your chance to be part of a truly unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most spectacular diving destinations.

With incredible diving, the chance to discover the joy of free diving, and to be part of exciting new and cutting-edge research in the field, this is a meeting not to be missed. We have our Keynote Speaker: Professor Peter Lindholm, a world-renowned expert in free diving physiology.

Get in fast and take advantage of early bird rates!

Event Details:
Theme: Free Diving
Dates: Sunday, 10 May – Friday, 15 May 2026
Venue: Palasia Hotel, Koror, Palau

Why Palau?
Palau is a dream location for nature lovers and divers alike. Expect crystal-clear waters, pristine reefs teeming with colourful marine life, exhilarating drift dives with big pelagic encounters, dramatic limestone Karst I sland landscape, and rich local culture – the perfect backdrop for a world-class scientific meeting.

How to Register:
Register for the Conference First – it’s quick and easy. [Click below to register]

https://spums.au/index.php/asm-registration

After registering, you’ll receive a Booking ID – use this when booking your accommodation and diving workshops.

You’ll then be directed to the Diveplanit website to organise your accommodation, diving, and tours for a seamless experience at the Palasia Hotel.

https://diveplanit.wetravel.com/trips/spums-2026-palau-7-8-nights-accommodation-transfers-diving-tours-diveplanit-travel-pty-ltd-69819365

Don't miss your chance to dive into science, discovery, and adventure in paradise. Secure your place today, we can’t wait to see you there!

https://spums.au/index.php/asm-registration

Already booked? Use this link to Manage your Booking: https://diveplanit.wetravel.com/New booking ... read on.Having registered for the SPUMS 2026 Conference, you can now book your accommodation, diving and tours here.Accommodation options are provided at the Conference Hotel - the Palasia. There ar...

19/12/2025

The December issue of Diving and Hyperbaric Medcine is live with our biggest issue yet! Login to get your copy. https://spums.au/index.php/login

Whats inside ..

World first: clinical ECMO in the hyperbaric chamber

Outcome after iatrogenic arterial gas embolism

Cardiac arrest and defibrillation during HBOT (two articles)

Pulmonary air-containing lesions in HBOT patients

Quality in hyperbaric medicine clinical trials

Perceptions of mouthpiece retainers in rebreather divers

DCI and in-water recompression in freediving (two articles)

Fluid loss during rebreather dives

HBOT for acute idiopathic sudden hearing loss

Critical flicker fusion frequence through a chamber porthole

Three case reports and more …
🌟
AND from our President a message.🎄

On behalf of the SPUMS Executive Committee, I would like to wish all our members, associates and supporters a safe and happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Thank you for being so supportive of SPUMS in 2025 and we look forward to your continued involvement with our organisation in 2026 and beyond.

Neil Banham
SPUMS President

24/11/2025

🌊 SPUMS ASM 2026 & 2027 — Big Announcements! 🌊

✨ PALAU 2026 — Early Bird Ends Soon!
Don’t miss the SPUMS 54th Scientific Meeting in breathtaking Palau — the perfect blend of science, diving, and tropical paradise.

📅 10–15 May 2026
📍 Palasia Hotel, Koror, Palau
🎯 Theme: Free Diving
🎤 Keynote: Professor Peter Lindholm

Why you’ll love it:
💙 Crystal-clear waters
🐠 Pristine reefs & thrilling drift dives
🏝 Iconic limestone islands
🌺 Rich island culture

🚨 Spots are nearly full — early bird rates end in January!
👉 Register now and secure your place.

Register here ... https://spums.au/index.php/asm-registration

✈️ Flight Updates for SPUMS Palau 2026

Qantas direct group fares from Brisbane are fully allocated, but seats remain available (from AUD $3,000+).

Best-value option: via Taipei
(with short stopovers and good connections from Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane)

📌 Sample flights:
CI 28 — Taipei → Koror (9 May)
CI 27 — Koror → Taipei (16 May)

💲 Approx. prices (as of 5 Nov 2025):
• Melbourne: AUD $1,400
• Sydney: AUD $1,450
• Brisbane: AUD $1,400

Alternate international route via Tokyo also available.

For flight assistance, email ✉️ SPUMSTravel@diveplanit.com
with your nearest airport and preferred travel dates.

🇵🇭 And for 2027… We’re heading to the PHILIPPINES!
More details coming soon — stay tuned! 🌟

30/09/2025

Get your copy now!

The September issue for 2025 is out now! Get your copy via your societal login at European Underwater and Baromedical Society or SPUMS - South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society.

What's inside this issue ..

Revised CNS limit for 1.3 atmospheres of inspired oxygen
HBOT for femoral head avascular necrosis
Bacterial survival in hyperbaric air
Vestibular rehabilitation after inner ear DCS
The role of ECGs in assessing fitness for military diving
Diving with autism spectrum disorder
Serial chest CT after freediving pulmonary syndrome
HBOT for dropped head syndrome after radiotherapy
Periorbital emphysema complicating HBOT
Treating neonates with HBOT
Tissue necrosis after marine sting and more ...

23/09/2025

🌊 Registrations are Filling Fast! 🌊
Don't miss your chance to be part of the SPUMS 54th Scientific Meeting – a truly unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most spectacular diving destinations: Palau! 🐠🌴

🗓 10–15 May 2026
📍 Palasia Hotel, Koror, Palau
🎯 Theme: Free Diving

Join us for an extraordinary week of cutting-edge research, world-class diving, and the opportunity to learn from the best in the field – including our keynote speaker, Professor Peter Lindholm, a global leader in free diving physiology. 🌟

✨ Why Palau?
Palau is a dream location for nature lovers and divers alike. Expect crystal-clear waters, pristine reefs teeming with colourful marine life, exhilarating drift dives with big pelagic encounters, dramatic limestone Karst I sland landscape, and rich local culture – the perfect backdrop for a world-class scientific meeting.

🚨 Early bird rates end in January and spots are limited!
👉 Click here to register https://spums.au/index.php/asm-registration

🔹 Step 1: Register for the conference
🔹 Step 2: Use your Booking ID to organise accommodation and diving
🔹 Step 3: You’ll then be directed to the Diveplanit website to organise your accommodation, diving, and tours for a seamless experience at the Palasia Hotel.

🔗 Don’t wait – secure your place today and get ready to dive into science in paradise! 🐬🧠🌊

19/08/2025

🚨 Registrations for the SPUMS 54th Scientific Meeting are OPEN and filling up fast! 🚨

Don't miss your chance to be part of this incredible event! 🏝️✨ Secure your spot and early bird discount today!

Event Details:
🌊 Theme: Free Diving
📅 Dates: Sunday, 10 May – Friday, 15 May 2026
🏨 Venue: Palasia Hotel, Koror, Palau

Why Palau?
🌴 It's a diving paradise, crystal-clear waters, vibrant reefs, drift dives with pelagic action, limestone cliffs, and rich local culture. Dive into this bucket list destination while attending world-class scientific sessions!

How to Register:
1️⃣ Register FIRST. It’s quick and easy! [🔗 https://spums.au/index.php/asm-registration]
2️⃣ After registration, you’ll get a Booking ID as proof of your registration for accommodation and dive workshops!
3️⃣ After registering, you’ll be directed to the Diveplanit website to book your accommodation, diving and tours ensuring you have a seamless experience and a spot at the Palasia Hotel.

Important Travel Info:
🚨 Limited Flights – Due to high demand, Qantas flights are now ONLY available for Business Class on direct bookings for the conference week. There are only 7 tickets left at AUD $2,395 return (ex-Brisbane).
📧 Want one? Email us at spumstravel@divetravel.com
to secure your seat!

💡 Top Tip: Want to add peace of mind to your travel plans?
NIB Travel is offering 15% off on travel insurance for our members. Email spumstravel@divetravel.com
for a quote! 🌍✈️

Tag a friend who’s ready to dive into adventure!

08/08/2025

SPUMS 54th Annual Scientific Meeting 2026 – Registration is now open! ✈️🌍🌴😍

The wait is over! Registration is now officially open for the SPUMS 54th Annual Scientific Meeting 2026 and we can’t wait to see you in Palau for what promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Event Details:
Theme: Free Diving
Dates: Sunday, 10 May – Friday, 15 May 2026
Venue: Palasia Hotel, Koror, Palau

Registration Info:
Here’s what you need to know:
👉 Register for the Conference FIRST – it’s quick and easy! Click here to register now.
👉 After registering, you’ll be directed to the Diveplanit website to book your accommodation, ensuring you have a seamless experience and a spot at the fabulous Palasia Hotel.
👉 You’ll receive a Booking ID upon registration, which you’ll use as proof when booking your accommodation and practical diving workshops.

This is your chance to be part of an incredible event, diving into the latest scientific advancements and networking with industry leaders in one of the most stunning locations on Earth.

Convenors for the Event:
Ian Gawthrope and Douglas Falconer

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at convenor@spums.org.au.

We can't wait to share this experience with you in Palau. Let’s make memories together at SPUMS 2026.

Register here 👉https://spums.au/index.php/asm-registration

09/07/2025

Vale Des Gorman

It is with great sadness that I share the passing of Des Gorman on 2nd July 2025 in Auckland.

Des made a huge contribution to SPUMS and to diving and hyperbaric medicine internationally for over a decade at the
end of the 20th century.

Des was a former SPUMS President and Director of the Hyperbaric Unit at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Our condolences to his family and friends.

RIP Des

Written by Neil Banham
SPUMS President

17/04/2025

🚨 LAST CHANCE! 🚨

Registrations for the 53rd SPUMS Annual Scientific Meeting 2025 close TOMORROW – 18 April! ⏳

https://spums.au/index.php/asm-registration

🌊 Join us in beautiful Bali at the stunning Ramayana Candidasa Resort from Sunday 18 May to Friday 23 May 2025 for a week of knowledge, connection, and inspiration.

🧠 This year’s theme: “Oxygen: Too much, Too little, or Just Right?”
🎤 Featuring keynote speakers Dr Bruce Derrick and Pieter-Jan van Ooij
🌏 Over 120 registrants already – don’t miss out on what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable meeting with like-minded professionals.

👉 Secure your spot NOW before it’s too late!

28/03/2025

SPUMS ASM 2025, Registration closing soon!

Time is running out — registrations close on 18 April 2025. With over 100 people already registered, this ASM is shaping up to be unforgettable. Don't miss out on the excitement — secure your spot now.

SPUMS 53rd Annual Scientific Meeting will be held from Sunday 18 May to Friday 23 May 2025 in Ramayana Candidasa resort, Bali, Indonesia.

We have added a Keynote Speaker.

We are delighted to have Pieter-Jan van Ooij joining us as our second Keynote Speaker.

Register here .. https://spums.au/index.php/asm-registration

27/02/2025

SPUMS 53rd Annual Scientific Meeting will be held from Sunday 18 May to Friday 23 May 2025 in Ramayana Candidasa resort, Bali, Indonesia.

Update: Great news! The deadline for submitting your Abstract has been extended to 11 March 2025! Don't miss out — send your submissions to convenor@spums.org.au.

Abstracts aligning with the conference theme will be given priority, but there will also be free paper streams and also poster space available.

Download the Abstract Form from our website.
https://spums.au/index.php/asm-registration

Update: The Ramayana resort is now fully booked. We still have some rooms available in the adjacent Lotus bungalows. Visit Diveplanit Travel website for more information.
https://www.diveplanit.com/event/spums-2025-asm-bali-accommodation-diving-meals/

Registrations close 11 April 2025. Register for the conference - don’t miss out!
https://spums.au/index.php/asm-registration