LEICESTER, UK (28 Oct 2004) -- A woman was this week fighting for her life in hospital after a scuba diving accident at Stoney Cove. Qualified diver Emma Fielding, from Hertfordshire, was diving at the Stoney Stanton centre on Sunday October 17 when the accident happened. It is understood that she entered the water just before midday but failed to resurface and her male diving partner instantly raised the alarm. A rescue team brought her to the surface and attempts to resuscitate her were made by staff on land before paramedics took over. Ms Fielding was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where her condition yesterday was said to be stable but critical. Her accident adds to a tally of incidents at the centre, where more than 20 people have died since it opened in its current format in 1978. Stoney Cove Marine Trials company operations manager Margaret Baldwin said the accident record must be put into perspective. "The amount of accidents here have nothing to do with Stoney Cove," she said. "We have around 60,000 divers a year and each will do two or three dives on an average day. "If you multiply that, you can see how many safe dives there are. "It's a safe sport compared to others. We have extremely well trained staff who respond very quickly - we're very proud of them." The centre always has at least six personnel on site, trained in first aid, oxygen providing and defibrillator techniques and boat handling. SOURCE - Hinckley Times | 
