DURHAM, NC – April 17, 2026 – Divers Alert Network (DAN), the world’s leading dive safety organization, is proud to announce the successful completion of its “One Thousand in One Thousand” initiative in Indonesia. The program, which aimed to equip 1,000 dive industry support professionals with lifesaving first aid and emergency oxygen skills within 1,000 days, reached its goal this week in Labuan Bajo.
Launched in partnership with the Indonesia Ministry of Tourism, the initiative was designed to bolster the frontline safety net for divers across Indonesia by training those most likely to be on site during an incident. This included dive industry workers beyond instructors and guides, such as deckhands, skippers, and shop staff. By training these professionals, the program has helped ensure that first responders are present at dive emergencies right when they occur.
“Reaching this goal in Indonesia is a significant step forward in our global mission of diver safety,” said Cliff Richardson, DAN president and CEO. “The DAN Indonesia team has done an incredible job organizing these trainings and collaborating with the region’s dive industry to ensure that help is within reach when divers need it most. The lasting impact of this project is found in the capability of these 1,000 first aid responders to respond in real emergencies before, during, or after the dive.”
The milestone was celebrated during a “Safety Talk on Marine Tourism Safety and Security” hosted by the Indonesia Ministry of Tourism and the Labuan Bajo Flores Tourism Authority on April 16, 2026. The event brought together government officials and key stakeholders, and Richardson delivered remarks on risk mitigation and safety education.
“The achievement of training 1,000 providers is a testament to the dedication of the Indonesian diving community, who are now better equipped than ever to respond to emergencies,” said Bayu Wardoyo, country manager for DAN Indonesia. “We take pride in sharing this success with those who worked alongside DAN Indonesia to reach our One Thousand in One Thousand goal: the dive training agencies, our local industry partners, and the Ministry of Tourism, as well as the first aid providers who are now using their training to make Indonesia a safer diving destination.”
Beyond the training, DAN has further strengthened the region’s safety infrastructure by:
- Distributing First Aid Equipment: Donating hundreds of emergency oxygen and first aid kits to local operators to equip providers to respond.
- Launching the DAN Indonesia Hotline: Establishing a dedicated 24/7 emergency service managed by Indonesian physicians in Bahasa Indonesia.
- Expanding the Recompression Chamber Network (RCN): Adding well-equipped Indonesian facilities to a global network of specialized hyperbaric chambers for divers.