DAN Internal Research Committee
Research objectives and questions change over the years; therefore, we regularly review our research strategy and focus areas. The purpose of DAN’s Internal Research Committee is to establish research priorities and provide input for annual and multiyear research plans. Before endorsing a research project — whether it is conducted in house, with an external collaborator or as part of a research grant — the committee will decide whether this study is feasible, scientifically sound and in alignment with DAN’s mission.
DAN Institutional Review Board (IRB) – Protecting Human Subjects in Research
The last step before beginning a research project is the submission of a detailed research protocol and all other supporting material, like consent forms and participant information, to an institutional review board (IRB). DAN has established its own IRB. The definition and function of this board is well described on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website:
“Under FDA regulations, an IRB is an appropriately constituted group that has been formally designated to review and monitor biomedical research involving human subjects. In accordance with FDA regulations, an IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or disapprove research. This group review serves an important role in the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects.
The purpose of IRB review is to assure, both in advance and by periodic review, that appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as subjects in the research. To accomplish this purpose, IRBs use a group process to review research protocols and related materials (e.g., informed consent documents and investigator brochures) to ensure protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects of research.”
Additional Reading on Human Subject Research and IRBs
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), United States Department of Health and Human Services
International DAN (IDAN) Research Committee
Several DAN entities exist and serve members around the globe. The IDAN Research sub-committee is meeting regularly to update each other on recent progress in research activities. Main discussion points in each of these gatherings are the collaboration in field research, surveys, and training of research techniques between the DANs, the nomination of core interests that IDAN will pursue in the future, and funding opportunities worldwide. The committee members agreed on some focus areas for potential global collaboration:
- Cardiovascular health and diving
- Decompression Safety Issues, Bubbles Studies
- Genomics and Diving
- Medications impacting Fitness to Dive
- Wearable Sensors for Monitoring and Telemonitoring usable during immersion
- Contribution to the DAN Annual Diving Report
- Exploring further research funding opportunities