DAN TRAVELERS MEDICAL GUIDE
INTRODUCTION

What Is DAN?

Divers Alert Network^® (DAN^®) was established in 1980 to provide the dive community with a 24-hour emergency hotline staffed by experts in dive medicine. DAN soon began offering broad financial and logistical
support to divers through research and educational initiatives as well
as products and services useful to divers. Today DAN is the world’s
largest dive safety organization.

Attracting the attention of nondivers who also want the security of access to emergency assistance when they need it most, DAN’s 24/7 emergency hotline now serves anyone who experiences an injury or unexpected illness during any type of travel while still fulfilling DAN’s mission to provide medical information and assistance to scuba divers who suffer dive-related injuries.

DAN also provides vital information to help travelers prevent and manage illnesses and injuries while away from home. With an international reputation for dive safety research and education, DAN applies the same scientific approach to informing all travelers about the most current and relevant health and safety guidelines.

Working with numerous global partners, DAN helps members who experience a medical emergency when they’re away from home — whether it is minor or serious and whether it requires on-site treatment or evacuation. If you need help anywhere in the world, contact DAN for assistance. We are here to help.

For more information about DAN membership, visit DAN.org/Membership.

Contacting DAN

Among DAN’s many membership benefits, perhaps the most valuable
is the peace of mind from knowing that you can call on us at any time
and from anywhere. DAN offers a wide range of resources, available via phone and online.

DAN Emergency Hotline

Call +1 (919) 684–9111 for both diving and nondiving emergencies and to access TravelAssist services. The DAN Emergency Hotline is available 24/7 from anywhere in the world; DAN also accepts collect calls for emergencies.

For more information about TravelAssist services, visit DAN.org/membership-insurance/membership/dan-membership-benefits.
DAN must make all transportation arrangements prior to an evacuation.

DAN Nonemergency Information

For nonemergency questions, call the DAN Medical Information Line at
+1 (919) 684–2948 (available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m. ET) or contact us online at apps.DAN.org/Ask-a-Medic.

Other DAN medical resources include the following:

DAN Medical Services and Information:
DAN.org/health-medicine
DAN Health and Diving Library:
DAN.org/Health-Medicine/Health-Resources

DAN’s mailing address:
6 West Colony Place
Durham, NC 27705 USA

Using This Guide

This guide is a resource for travelers, divers, paramedics, first aid providers, physicians and others to help prevent, recognize and manage travel-related illnesses and injuries. It presents information in a simplified, easy-to-understand manner and is not intended to supply complete treatment plans or to be a substitute for a physician’s advice. Individuals should consult with trained and experienced medical professionals before undertaking definitive treatment for any potentially significant illness or injury.

Traveling to different parts of the world requires knowledge and preparation. This guide offers general travel information as well as targeted advice regarding specific travel situations. Some topics covered here may not appear in other travel guides.

The seven sections of this guide cover topics ranging from general packing tips to instructions for conducting an on-site neurological examination. Readers should review the contents and bookmark the sections most pertinent to them for easy accessibility. A glossary and a list of acronyms and abbreviations appear at the back of the book. Use this information when planning a trip and as a reference at any time.

Preface

Divers Alert Network^® (DAN^®) has published this first edition of the Travelers Medical Guide to provide a concise health guide with content relevant to all travelers, including scuba divers, boaters and swimmers. More information on scuba-specific topics is included in other DAN publications, which are available at DAN.org/Health-Medicine/Health-Resources.

While all medical treatments should conform to the best practice guidelines available, travelers (and those who care for them) should understand that providers might need to adapt treatments to the constraints and environments where the need for care arises.

This guide is intended to be used only as a travel health and medical resource. For detailed information about DAN benefits, please refer to the description of coverage you received with your purchase.

We hope you find this guide helpful, and we invite your feedback to help make it better.

Safe travels!