A second rescue helicopter for the Cairns region could be put in the air following a meeting aimed at curbing dive-related deaths on the Great Barrier Reef.
A total of 10 people died while diving or snorkelling in the region in 2016, twice the industry standard, prompting the Queensland government and industry operators to meet on Wednesday to discuss ways to reduce the number.
Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace stopped short of promising an extra helicopter for the region but said they want to work with the industry to make it happen.
"They are very expensive. We want to make sure they are fit for purpose and they're going to meet the demands not only of Cairns but also the broader region," Ms Grace told reporters in Cairns.
"It is certainly something we'll be having a very close look at and hopefully give some good news to the industry very soon."
Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators spokesman Col McKenzie said he was pleased the extra helicopter was being considered.
"There were at least four cases last year (where people) were successfully revived, where we got the person out of the water unconscious, not breathing and they survived," Mr McKenzie told AAP.
"The reason they survived is because we had helicopter support.
"To me it makes good economic sense; the tourism industry in the Great Barrier Reef catchment produces around $836 million a year in taxes and government charges, and on that basis we're not asking for charity."
Five tourists have died on the reef in the past three months, with the latest, a 63-year-old British man, dying on Moore Reef earlier this month.
In that case, a rescue helicopter had been on the way, but was diverted to help a 43-year-old woman who also got into trouble while snorkelling off Green Island.
In addition to flagging the second helicopter, the meeting looked at including mandatory defibrillators on board tourist vessels and "gentle" warning signs about the risks associated with diving.
Ms Grace said an expert committee would be set up and report back by July.
