Richard D. Vann

Frauke Tillmans, Ph.D., and Petar Denoble, M.D., D.Sc.

Q3/Q4 2020

A U.S. Navy SEAL, a respected researcher of decompression theory and an expert in hyperbaric and dive medicine, Richard D. “Dick” Vann had a career spanning more than 60 years. His work contributed to the implementation of safer pressure-exposure protocols in diving, mountaineering and space exploration. In 1990, as interest in recreational diving was increasing, Vann started working with DAN and founded the organization’s research department. As a director and later as vice president of research, he led studies of dive safety and injury prevention for more than 20 years.

Caught in a Current

Mike Bernhardt

Q3/Q4 2020

When things go wrong, it’s often due to a combination of factors. The dive operator could have mitigated the risks by assigning an extra divemaster to our beginners group or requiring that divers have experience with currents. But ultimately we are responsible for our own safety. Had we taken a refresher course and refamiliarized ourselves with our equipment, the incident might have been frightening but not likely dangerous. We look forward someday returning to Raja Ampat. When we do, we’ll make sure we’re prepared.

Avoiding Panic After Regulator Failure

Nick Uresin

Q2 2020

Are you prepared to handle a faulty regulator? Here is how one person handled this hazardous situation and DAN’s response to the handling.

South Australia Photo Gallery

Stephen Frink

Q2 2020

After reading about giant Australian cuttlefish, see a photo gallery of other South Australian imagery.

Tobias Friedrich Gallery

Tobias Friedrich

Q2 2020

View the bonus photo gallery from our featured Shooter, Tobias Friedrich.

Catalina Photo Gallery

Andy and Allison Sallmon

Q2 2020

See a bonus photo gallery of images from Santa Catalina Island.

Tenerife

Sabrina Belloni

Q2 2020

Tenerife is the largest of the eight islands that form the Canary Islands archipelago, which is part of Spain but located off the coast of Africa near Morocco and Western Sahara. Often called the “island of eternal spring” because of its sunshine and pleasant climate throughout the entire year, Tenerife is reliable and affordable, and the diving is good all year. For travelers who are not interested in diving or water sports, Tenerife offers cultural, culinary, entertainment and leisure activities as well as numerous museums and historical sites.

Member To Member: Serenity and Uncertainty

Alene D. Rice and Bruce Balan

Q2 2020

Have you ever seen an anchored sailboat with wetsuits and regulators hanging from the rigging and wondered what it was like for those divers? While there are benefits of living aboard and diving from your own boat, there are challenges as well. Every adventure has risks. But we can wake up in our own bed, don our gear at sunrise and slip into the sea to spend an hour alone underwater with mantas, sharks and dolphins, and it’s worth it.

Travel Smarter: Don’t Cancel, Reschedule Instead

Q2 2020

We can do something simple to help our colleagues working in dive operations worldwide. If you have a dive trip booked in the next few months and are not certain the trip will happen, reschedule it instead of canceling. Book it for the same time next year or six months from now if you think travel will be less restrictive by then. Rescheduling is easy and gives you something to look forward to when we are able to venture out again — an awesome prepaid dive trip.