SPONSORED: Welcome Back! Thailand Aggressor Offering Two Andaman Sea Itineraries
Luxury Liveaboard Cruises Dive Surin, Similan, and Lanta National Parks Augusta, Georgia — Thailand is often called the “land of smiles.” Adventure travelers have a lot to smile about as […]
FDA Prescription Exemption: Oxygen Fills for Emergency Use
There is a common misconception that oxygen cylinders can be filled only with a prescription. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows an exemption from the prescription […]
Plura Cave Accident: Preliminary Analysis
As part of its injury and fatality monitoring initiatives, Divers Alert Network is in the process of collecting all necessary information to understand the events leading up to and potentially […]
Immersion Pulmonary Edema
Emmanuel Gouin1,2, Emmanuel Dugrenot1,2,31: Divers Alert Network (DAN), Durham, NC, USA2: Univ Brest, ORPHY Laboratory, Brest, France3: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and NC […]
Volunteer for DAN Research!
Be a volunteer diver for the 2024 DAN bubble study!
Anyone Can Cancel Any Dive At Any Time For Any Reason
One of the cornerstones of scuba diving (along with “always keep breathing”) is the fact that ANY diver can call off or end ANY dive for ANY reason at ANY […]
Abaco Cave Diver Evacuation
Just before Christmas, a DAN member who was diving in Abaco, Bahamas, experienced an incident that resulted in decompression illness. When he contacted DAN and tried to access the benefits […]
Alternobaric Vertigo
Divers and dive professionals should know how to recognize, avoid, and respond to vertigo underwater.
Lung Squeeze Survey
Divers Alert Network (DAN) and University of California San Diego (UCSD) are sponsoring a survey that will collect data from breath-hold divers regarding their experience(s) with lung injuries while training […]
Wildfires and Breathing Gas Quality
Divers and dive operators may wonder about the effects of wildfires on divers' breathing gas. Fortunately it seems cylinders can still be safely filled.
Recognizing and Preventing Barotrauma
Dive professionals must become proficient at recognizing signs of barotrauma and helping divers prevent it.
What’s in Your Air?
Choosing a reputable dive operation with a reliable safety record is important for ensuring your personal safety while diving — even if you rely on them for nothing more than […]
DAN Liability: Committed to a Stable Future
When you purchase liability insurance from DAN, you’re backed by more than an insurance policy. You’re supported by an organization that has been helping divers for over 40 years. In […]
Medically Unnecessary Procedures: A Member Alert
DAN has become aware of several instances in which medical providers subjected injured divers to medically unnecessary diagnostic testing before administering definitive care.
Can You Recognize IPE?
Pulmonary edema is an abnormal leakage of fluid from the bloodstream into the alveoli, the microscopic air sacs in the lungs. It is most often the result of heart failure […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Teach Your Divers To Be Prepared
As a dive pro, you know that divers can get injured even when they do everything right. That’s why it’s important to ensure they’re prepared for anything. On a recent […]
Decompression Illness Can Happen To Anyone
Sometimes divers get injured even when they do everything right. That’s why it’s important to be prepared for anything. On a recent trip to Mexico, Brad’s first day of diving […]
Don’t Let Divers Deny DCS Symptoms
Dive professionals know that decompression sickness (DCS) is a fact of life. We invest significant time and effort in preventing it. What many divers — and even many dive pros […]
DCS and Denial
Decompression sickness (DCS) can happen to any diver. In fact, in most cases it occurs after dives that were within the depth and time limits of the diver’s computer. And […]
Delayed Evacuation Almost Cost Diver Full Recovery
During a dive vacation to a remote destination, June suffered from decompression sickness — but problems kept mounting, delaying her treatment. Read the story of how DAN helped assist in the evacuation.
Be a Great Dive Buddy
A good dive buddy is more than just a companion: They are an invaluable resource. Should something go wrong, you need a reliable dive buddy. Here's how to get the most of the underwater partnership.
How to Manage Ear Troubles
A diver's ears are used for so much more than just hearing. Learn some common problems divers face and how to correct them.
Motorcycle Wreck Highlights DAN’s Value
A horrendous motorcycle accident nearly left a couple stranded in another country while insurance companies battled over bills. Learn how DAN stepped in.
Understand the Ears for Optimal Health
Ears are incredibly intricate and astounding organs that do more than pick up sounds. For divers, it is imperative to practice good aural hygiene and keep ears in good health. Learn more about ears and diving.
Be Prepared for Medical Emergencies Abroad
Emergency preparedness goes beyond having over-the-counter medications and bandages. While abroad, proper emergency planning consists of knowing where local hospitals are and who to call in case of dire emergencies.
Foster a Culture of Safety to Build Community
A well-rounded approach to dive safety will help reduce incidents — this is the premise of a culture safety. When a culture of safety is widely adopted by an organization or a community, it drives incident rates down and promotes safety for all — and it keeps diving fun.
Two Evacuations and Lifesaving Surgery
With more than 40 years of experience managing emergencies across the globe, DAN can help you handle any trouble that arises, allowing you to relax and enjoy your trip.
Check, Check, Check: Find the Right Dive Operator
You can find the right dive center via internet searches, social media, word of mouth or walking into a shop off the street — personal research can go a long way in helping you decide. But do you know the right questions to ask?
Getting Stuck on Sea Urchins
Sea urchins are round, spiny creatures found on rocky marine coastlines and in shallow water around the globe. Observe these colorful pincushions from afar to avoid getting poked.
DCS Uncertainty and Treatment Delay
When DCS manifests in unfamiliar ways, delays to treatment can result. With DAN, you can get the information — and financial protection — you need to ensure a positive outcome.
Lapsed Membership and a Pricy Evacuation
The evacuation benefit included with DAN membership is priceless when you need it. Be prepared for any upcoming trip by ensuring your membership is renewed.
Support for Newly Certified Divers
Scuba diver Fran knows what it’s like to be both a new diver and one who returned to the sport after a hiatus. In both situations, she believes, DAN membership and insurance are incredibly important.
Comparison of COVID-19 and Decompression Illness: Causes and Risk Mitigation
While notably different, there are similarities in COVID-19 and decompression illness worthy of consideration. Understand how risk mitigation measures can be used to ward off either.
Freediving Not a Free Pass Out of DCS
Freedivers rarely deal with decompression sickness, which clouds their judgement if symptoms arise. "How can it be DCS?" Read more about the story of one freediver whose treatment was delayed because he didn't think it could be DCS.
Dive Operations and COVID-19: Prepping for Return FAQs
The following Q&As have been compiled from questions sent in by divers, dive professionals and operators and are intended to help everyone get ready for a safe return to the water.
Put Your Students’ Minds at Ease
DAN is a great resource for your students and new divers. The organization can answer their questions, provide support and evacuation services in an emergency and offer crucial reassurance.
Don’t Let Evacuation Logistics Delay Recovery
When evacuation is needed, time is of the essence to ensure an injured diver has a chance at a full recovery. Work with your student divers to ensure they understand the importance of DAN in evacuation situations.
COVID-19 and Diving: March 2021 Update
As the medical community has learned more about COVID-19 in the past year, the implications of the disease for divers are now better understood.
An Accident at Sea
Accidents don’t take vacations, and it’s smart to be prepared for anything, no matter where in the world you go. While DAN is best known for helping divers, its emergency evacuation benefit can cover non-diving-related emergencies as well.
Dive Business Tips: Staff Health and Safety
As a business owner, safety in the workplace is your responsibility, and this requires you to perform an appropriate risk assessment to identify and manage workplace hazards.
DAN Benefits Extend Beyond Diving
DAN membership and insurance can fill in gaps in divers’ health insurance coverage. Teach your students the value of DAN so they’re prepared for any emergency.
Well, This Bites: Prevention & Treatment of Marine Bites
Getting bit bites. When marine bites do happen, however, proper knowledge will help with treatments.
Safer Dive Boat Operations
With attention to a few important details, dive professionals can dramatically improve divers' safety and enjoyment during boat diving activities.
Emergency Preparedness Starts Before Travel
Emergency preparedness is crucial for all travel — especially trips to remote destinations. Teach your students why thorough emergency planning is so crucial.
Breathing Gas Quality Assurance
It is the top responsibility of a dive operator to provide quality breathing gas, and have systems in place should there be contamination. Learn more about breathing gas quality assurance.
Kidney Stone Jeopardizes Retirement Adventure
With more than 40 years of experience managing emergencies around the globe, DAN can help your students handle whatever trouble arises, whether during diving or topside adventures.
Shake off the Dust and Return to Diving
The pandemic of 2020 forced many divers to cancel trips and take a step back from diving. As a new season opens and diving may be possible again, slowly crank up your fitness.
Use Peer Pressure for Good
Being your own advocate can be incredibly hard and isolating when up against peer pressure. But you can find empowerment and use peer pressure as a force for good within the dive community.
Dive Business Tips: Creating a Safer Retail Shop
Now more than ever, public spaces involve some degree of risk. Here are some recommendations for improving safety in areas of your business that customers frequent.
Simple Jitters or Enduring Anxiety?
Anxiety is long lasting and does not go away as easily as stress. And mild anxiety could prevent you from diving. Learn more.
Be Aware of Unusual DCS Symptoms
Dive professionals know the common symptoms of decompression sickness (DCS), but what happens when other symptoms crop up? Would you know what to do?
Emergency Action Plans: When Things Go Wrong
Emergency action plans (EAPs) are essential risk mitigation tools for dive operators and dive professionals to limit liability and ensure the safety of divers, staff and the public. Learn how to set up an effective EAP, and download a free assessment.
Avoid the Chill
Hypothermia can affect anyone, so it’s something to be mindful of as you prepare for deeper dives, longer dives, more dives or dives in water colder than you’re used to.
Do Wildfires Affect Breathing Gas?
In 2018, DAN Research investigated the impact of wildfires on air quality around several California and Oregon dive shops, and inspected the air of recently filled cylinders. The results are still relevant today.
Environmental Considerations for Disinfection
Disinfection is critical to keep everyone healthy, but with the increase in cleaning, some are worried about environmental considerations. Can you disinfect properly and protect the environment?
Why DAN Does Not Share Chamber Availability
DAN frequently consults on care, transport and hyperbaric treatment for injured divers but does not provide chamber availability or location information. Read why and learn procedures should you need a chamber.
Dive Business Tips: Compressor Room & Fill Station Safety
If not properly set up and maintained, compressor rooms and fill stations can be among the most hazardous areas of a dive business. Get the facts on proper compressor room maintenance.
Operating Safely in the Time of Coronavirus: Part IV
Coronavirus has upended the dive industry. However, with additional safety protocols and attention to detail, shops can operate in ways that keep customers and staff safe.
Five Considerations for Drysuit Divers
When considering a drysuit, considerations need to be made to ensure personal health and safety. Skin conditions, constriction, buoyancy and other potential issues need to be weighed.
CPR and COVID-19
COVID-19 can be contracted by coming into contact with droplets of bodily fluid from an infected person — which makes performing CPR incredibly risky. There are steps you can take, however, if you're in a situation where CPR needs to be given.
Recognizing Lung Conditions
Acute lung conditions are some of the most dramatic and life threatening injuries found in the diving environment, and it is vital for all divers to be able to quickly recognize and react to them.
Treating Decompression Sickness (The Bends)
Decompression sickness (DCS) is one of the most common problems reported to DAN. Do you know appropriate actions to take if you suspect DCS?
DCS or Fin Foot?
Fin foot is a common condition in which feet become swollen and sore after a dive. New divers, especially, are susceptible. Learn more about the condition and how to treat.
Diving With Arrhythmias
Arrhythmias are conditions in which a heart beats irregularly, and they can pose serious health concerns. However, with guidance from a medical professional, divers may still be able to safely dive.
Scuba Diving and Diabetes
Many people with controlled diabetes can enjoy scuba diving. However, considerations need to be made to ensure diver safety and divers should understand their risks.
Minor Mishaps and Maladies
As a dive professional, you know that planning, preparation and careful decision-making are key risk management tools for preventing serious dive incidents and injuries during training. Because of this, the “worst” injuries most student divers face are often bumps and bruises that can be addressed quickly and easily.
How to Avoid Rapid Ascents and Arterial Gas Embolism
Arterial gas embolism (AGE) is one of the most serious medical emergencies a diver may experience. Learning about the risks associated with AGE will help aid in prevention.
Waterborne Illnesses
When you take the right precautions, you can protect yourself against microbes that could cause future infections or illnesses.
Seasickness Prevention and Treatment
Everyone is susceptible to seasickness but there is no cure. However, there are ways to prevent and manage the condition.
It’s the Little Things
The ocean is full of hazardous invertebrates that could cause serious injuries. Beware of fire corals, cone snails, jellyfish and other seemingly pretty creatures.
Guidelines for Lifelong Medical Fitness to Dive
Do you know when to get checked by your doctor? This guide will give you the information you need to ensure you are fit to dive throughout the rest of your life.
Stay Cool: Managing Heat Illness in Divers
Even below the water's surface, you can still be impacted by the sun's rays. Learn how to stay safe and cool in the summer heat.
Seven Tips for Preventing COVID-19 While Diving
Wash your hands, disinfect gear, heed local warnings. There are just a few of the precautions divers can take to ensure they do not contract COVID-19.
Risk Factors For Heart Disease
Heart health is essential to the safety of all divers. The best way that you can protect yourself is to ensure that you understand the primary risk factors of heart disease and regularly consult with your physician.
COVID-19: DAN Member FAQs
The COVID-19 pandemic has left many DAN members with questions regarding insurance policies and potential trip cancellations. Get your questions answered here.
Don’t Get Stranded Without DAN Membership
The evacuation benefit included with DAN membership is priceless when you need it. Ensure your students are prepared for any upcoming trip with a reminder about the importance of DAN membership.
Why You Really Need to Maintain Your First Aid Expertise
Disaster could strike anywhere and you need to be prepared. While you may have been CPR certified years ago, you need to maintain the certification.
Dive Accident Insurance Versus Travel Insurance: Do You Need Both?
As a diver, do you need both diver insurance and health insurance? To determine that answer, remember that very few travel insurance plans cover scuba diving incidents.
Why Experience Matters
Do you stay close to your buddy while underwater? Read this case summary of why it's important to always have a dive buddy.
Ear Equalization Guidelines for Scuba Divers
Have you ever experienced an ear problem when scuba diving? You’re not alone. Nearly 50 percent of calls to DAN's Emergency Hotline are related to ear problems.
Four Reasons Every Diver Should Be a DAN Member
When you join Divers Alert Network, you get valuable benefits and support the diving community at the same time.
A Diver’s Guide to Insurance Terms
To help divers make an informed decision about whether they need dive accident insurance coverage, we created a diver’s guide to insurance terms.
Inspect Your Oxygen Unit and First Aid Kit
Most divers appreciate that first aid and oxygen kits are essential equipment. However, not everyone considers that many of the contents are perishable and need to be replaced periodically. Regardless of the size or type of your oxygen or first aid kit, a regular inspection (at least annually) is imperative.
How to Clean Your Scuba Equipment
There are many benefits to using clean, well-cared-for scuba equipment. Properly maintained dive gear can last longer and is less likely to malfunction and cause a dive accident.
Honesty and the Dive Medical Form
The Diver Medical Participant Questionnaire is a set of unified standards established to provide consistency in the minimum health standards required for training scuba divers.
Malaria and Mosquito Bite Prevention for Divers
Mosquitoes suck. These pesky creatures can carry malaria —a deadly disease. Learn how to reduce your risks of malaria.
Gear Maintenance: Protect Your Investment and Prevent Dive Accidents
Most divers understand the value of preventative maintenance, yet many fail to have their dive gear serviced. Keep your gear in tip-top shape to avoid serious equipment malfunctions.
Stopping the Sting
Marine life stings are an uncommon, but an unfortunate reality of exploring the aquatic world. Know how to mitigate the risks, treat the injuries and keep yourself sting-free and happily diving this season.