Alert Diver

Help DAN Track Dive Injuries

Allan Uribe, Dr.PH, MPH, CPH

Q2 2020

DAN has been tracking scuba-related incidents since the late 1980s, and the dive community is critical to our success in collecting information about fatal and nonfatal injuries. Our dive safety and medical experts have produced essential recommendations as a result of their in-depth analyses of incident data. What is critical for better data is for divers and others to report incidents to DAN. By collecting more data, DAN can continue toward the goal of making every dive accident- and injury-free.

Carbon Dioxide Safety

Francois Burman, Pr.Eng., M.Sc.

Q2 2020

There are many standards and guidelines for safe limits, including the results of various occupational health and safety studies on the effects of extended exposure. For diving, the situation is different. So what are safe limits for recreational diving with much shorter exposures than navy divers? Particularly, what is a safe limit for carbon dioxide (CO2), the most abundant potential contaminant?

The Long Goodbye

Bob Talbot

Q2 2020

Orca populations have been on the decline for decades,. We have to address the challenges to their survival to preserve these magnificent animals.

Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve

Becky Kagan Schott

Q2 2020

The Straits Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve off the coast of Michigan is a unique destination for divers, with a variety of shipwrecks preserved in the area’s cold, fresh water.

The Colorful Courtship of Giant Australian Cuttlefish

Brandon Cole

Q2 2020

With appendages directly on their heads and the ability to camouflage, cuttlefish are interesting creatures. They also have unusual courtship rituals.

Tobias Friedrich: A Passion for Excellence

Stephen Frink, photos and captions by Tobias Friedrich

Q2 2020

Tobias Friedrich has amassed a portfolio of breathtaking images. He hopes to communicate uniquely so that when people view his portfolio they see things differently than they have before.

A Search for Blue Whales

Ken O’Sullivan

Q2 2020

Understanding migration routes of blue whales may lead to more protection of blue whales in those locations.

Santa Catalina Island

Allison and Andy Sallmon

Q2 2020

Catalina is often considered a quick day trip off the California coast. With little rain and picturesque views, however, Catalina could be your next adventure.

Hose Failure

Francois Burman, Pr.Eng., M.Sc.

Q2 2020

Some first-stage scuba regulators have a shared low-pressure hub. Purging the second-stage regulator to release pressure from all hoses before disassembling gear causes gas in the other hoses to move backward toward the first stage. The gas could carry debris from the other low-pressure hoses and possibly through the first-stage regulator into the hose being used to vent the system. Performing regular maintenance, checking your hoses and noting any difficulty in breathing or inflation during your predive check should prevent hose degeneration from causing an underwater incident.