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Divers Blog

With diver-focused posts covering a wide range of topics — from the implications of COVID-19 to managing diabetes to current trends in risk mitigation and first aid — divers can find the information they need to stay safe. Safety is paramount in diving, and when divers have a thorough understanding of potential risks and health concerns, they are better able to prepare. Ultimately this leads to both safer and more enjoyable experiences.

See all Divers Blog posts here.

Use DAN’s Free Dive Safety Resources

As part of its mission to promote dive safety, DAN has made available numerous e-learning courses, videos, planning tools, and other resources for divers and dive professionals.

Toughing It Out Is Dangerous

A diver’s symptoms went from bad to worse when he continued diving despite not feeling well. A strong downcurrent complicated things further.

How Are Your Divers Feeling?

Dive professionals can enhance divers’ safety through compliance with safety protocols, having emergency action plans in place, keeping an eye on their divers, and recognizing — and decisively responding to — signs of DCS.

Discerning, Diagnosing, and Dealing With Symptoms

A diver learned some valuable lessons after getting into trouble many hours offshore. Having an excellent dive buddy, paying attention to any unusual symptoms, and ensuring whoever is leading your dive is qualified and following appropriate standards are vital.

Distraction, Discomfort, and Disorientation

Staying focused and alert while diving means staying safe. Always prioritize your safety by making sure you’re physically and mentally prepared to dive.

DAN Welcomes 2022 Interns

DURHAM, NC – June 1, 2022 – Divers Alert Network® is excited to introduce four interns who will be working with the organization in the months ahead to expand their knowledge of dive safety and research and to support DAN’s operations. The DAN Internship Program was created 23 years ago to give qualified students valuable […]

Better Boat Diving

Some of the world’s best dive sites are accessible only by boat. At some point in your diving career it’s likely you’ll board a boat for some diving. Here are a few tips to make your boat dives safer and more fun. Pay Attention The crew should brief you and your fellow divers before or […]

Rely on Your Emergency Planning

When a real emergency occurs, its already too late to think about how you’ll respond and whether or not your emergency action plan (EAP) is up to snuff. An effective EAP is critical to your ability to safely control and respond to emergency situations in, on, and off the water. As a busy dive professional, […]

Environmental Stewardship for Divers

Because we venture to it, witness it, and explore it, divers have a deep and abiding appreciation for the marine environment. But as we know, it is threatened by various human factors, including overfishing, pollution, acidification, invasive species, and more. Even diving activities can have detrimental effects on the underwater world. So to preserve the […]

Continuing Education Can Make You a Safer Diver

There are a lot of great reasons to continue your diving education beyond your open water course. Advanced training lets you explore new environments, gives you the opportunity to learn from new instructors, and allows you to master new equipment. Importantly, continuing your education is also a great way to become a safer diver. Inexperience […]

Skin Bends and Flying After Diving

Cutaneous decompression sickness — also known as skin bends — manifests as bruising or mottled skin, typically on the belly, buttocks, breasts, thighs, or upper arms. In some cases, there are no additional symptoms, but in others, the skin discoloration is accompanied by neurological symptoms. Because of this, it’s important that dive professionals take skin […]

Trouble With Skin Bends

Tricia and her buddy had been diving in Cuba twice a day for three days. The dives were between 60 and 104 feet deep, all on air. At the end of the third day of diving she experienced itchy skin and a rash, but she felt well enough to meet friends for dinner. When she […]