Divers Alert Network

DAN’s Diver Roll Call survey has now received over 10,000 responses from North American divers, and it’s now available in Spanish and French as well as English! With these new languages available (and more to come) we hope to get even more responses to better understand the number of active divers in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. (including U.S. territories).

If you are an active diver who has not participated in this survey yet, we would love to hear from you. To take the survey, visit the link in our bio or visit https://redcap.link/diverrollcall_2024

(DAN Research does not collect any identifying information in this survey.)

When you’re ready to explore, protect your travel investment with DAN travel insurance. Plans include trip cancellation and interruption coverage, baggage and baggage delay coverage, as well as medical protection and assistance services.

Get a quote here: dan.org/membership-insurance/travel-insurance.

Applications are now open for the AUAS/DAN Diving Medicine Scholarship! This annual grant, a collaboration between the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences (AUAS) and DAN, supports researchers aiming to contribute to the field of dive medicine. 🩺🤿

For full details, read our blog post:

2024 AUAS/DAN Diving Medicine Scholarship Apply for the AUAS/DAN Diving Medicine Scholarship, which provides a unique opportunity for researchers to contribute to diving medicine.

The DAN interns recently traveled to Florida to dive and visit gear manufacturers and dive research facilities. They toured NEDU (Naval Experimental Diving Unit), DiveRite, DiveSoft, Fathom, Halcyon, and the University of Florida's research department. It was an invaluable learning experience for this younger generation of divers, and we appreciate these facilities for sharing their time and expertise.

Planning a dive? Don't forget to study up on local sea life!

Dive into one diver's harrowing encounter with a spiny devilfish. Read more here: dan.org/speak-of-the-spiny-devilfish.

📸 by Suzan Meldonian

Dr. Melissa Ilardo is delving deep into the world of genetic analyses, focusing on unique populations like the Bajau in Indonesia. 🌏 Discover her groundbreaking findings and her vision for the future of this field! Read more: https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/melissa-ilardo/.

✍️ by Madeline Coombs and Frauke Tillmans
📸 by Peter Daamgaard

Melissa Ilardo Melissa Ilardo, PhD, is passionate about working in the distinct field of genetic analyses on individuals, primarily in Indigenous populations who have adapted to unique lifestyles or environments.

Whether you're a pro or just starting out, we've got you covered with articles, guides, quizzes, & more! From equalization techniques to hazardous marine injuries, explore a wealth of info tailored to divers of all levels. Check out our resources here: dan.org/health-medicine/health-resources.

Health Resources This comprehensive collection of online resources provide valuable information on topics critical to diver health and safety.

The DAN Emergency Hotline provides 24/7 medical assistance to divers worldwide. This continuous service is supported by a team of over 40 dive medical experts across multiple continents. 📞🌍

Read about DAN’s recent medic exchange between our call center in New Zealand and our headquarters in North Carolina:

Medics Swap to Strengthen DAN’s Emergency Hotline In July 2024, five years after establishing its New Zealand hotline operations, DAN hosted a medic exchange between its call center in Auckland, New Zealand, and its headquarters in Durham, North Carolina.

If you’re a diver you probably have an opinion about mouthpiece retaining straps (MRSs) and/or airway protection. We'd like to hear from you!

Take the survey: redcap.link/ccr-airway

Heat illness in divers is more common in these warmer months, so it’s important to know what to look for and how to help prevent and treat the condition!

Treating heat illnesses:
👕Remove clothing
🌞Make sure the person is out of the heat & out of direct sunlight
💨Fan the person
💧Keep the person’s skin moist

Ways to help prevent heat illness:
💦Hydration is key!
🧢Wear a hat and other sun protection

For more information about heat illness in divers, visit https://dan.org/safety-prevention/diver-safety/divers-blog/stay-cool-managing-heat-illness-in-divers/

Dive into the depths of extreme environments! From simulated emergencies to real-life challenges, discover the parallels between space and the ocean at Aquarius Reef Base and learn how they are learning to thrive in harsh conditions. Read more here: dan.org/learning-to-thrive-in-extreme-environments/.

📸 by
Cathy Guinovart
Sergey Galkin
Roger Garcia
Cathy Guinovart
Matt Harasymczuk

In February 2020, the Royal Bermuda Regiment launched Bermuda’s first coast guard unit, responsible for enforcing maritime law in its waters and providing around-the-clock search-and-rescue capabilities.

Read about their numerous missions, from recovering bodies, evidence, and submerged vehicles to conducting underwater hull searches of ships in the island’s harbors. Follow the link here: dan.org/royal-bermuda-regiment-coast-guard-divers/.

DAN representatives recently shared their expertise at the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society and Hyperbaric Medical Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting.

Read our new blog post about how their involvement honored a long-standing partnership and reinforced DAN’s commitment to dive safety:

Advancing Dive Medicine and Safety: DAN at UHMS ASM 2024 DAN representatives shared their medical expertise at the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting (UHMS ASM)

Are you passionate about diving and looking for your next career adventure? Explore job openings with DAN!

We are looking for a...

☎️Call Center Medic
📝Medical and Assistance Case Manager
🏢Commercial Lines Insurance Agent

To learn more about these positions, visit dan.org/careers

Your Responsibility as a Safe Diver 🦺

Trusting your dive operator is essential, but advocating for your safety is key. Take charge of your diving experience by asking important questions: Is there emergency oxygen on board? Is the crew trained in first aid? Does the operator have an emergency plan? But being a truly safe diver goes beyond inquiries.

Safe divers stay prepared: they're trained in first aid, understand emergency oxygen, and have their own action plan ready to deploy. Hesitation in an emergency could stem from lack of experience or training, but being proactive can save lives.

Whether it's administering CPR, or recognizing signs of decompression sickness (DCS), quick action is vital.

Remember, being a safe diver means equipping yourself with the tools and training to mitigate risks and respond effectively. Don't hesitate—act swiftly to ensure a safe and enjoyable dive for all.

Don't have a gym? No problem! Turn your home into a fitness haven with just your furniture! 💪 Dive into these at-home exercises to stay in shape for your next underwater adventure. Check them out here: https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/no-gym-equipment-no-problem/.

Since 1980, DAN has assisted divers in need all over the world. True to this mission, the Dive Accident Insurance Plans available through DAN have been updated to meet the needs of divers age 70 and over.

Find out which states are covered here: https://dan.org/membership-insurance/dive-insurance/dive-accident-insurance-for-members-70-and-over/.

We’re ! DAN is seeking a Medical and Assistance Case Manager to join our team in Durham, NC. 📍💼

If you have experience in Travel Assistance and medical case management, along with a passion for client-centered care and advocacy, this could be the perfect fit.

Apply today or share this opportunity with your network. To read the full job description and apply, visit DAN.org/careers or our LinkedIn: linkedin.com/jobs/view/3974398594.

Spearfishing brings great excitement and reward to many divers — whether they’rescuba diving or freediving. There are a few things to keep in mind when spearfishing so you can have the best and safest time. Read these tips and implement them in your next spearfishing adventure. Happy diving! 🐟🤿

🏝️Research your location – Make sure you understand the legal restrictions and licensing requirements.

📝Conduct a standard risk assessment – Know your safety protocols, and pay attention to how many divers are carrying a speargun.

🧠Be mindful of where you point the muzzle/spear tip – Never point at anything you do not want to shoot, and always enter the water with the gun unloaded.

🐠Stay in control of the fish and speargun once shot – Be attentive to where the fish is pulling you, and avoid getting entangled in the line.

To read more spearfishing tips, visit https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/spearfishing-safety/

Especially around , sharks are the most famous potentially hazardous marine animal — despite the rarity of serious bites. Divers are more likely to be injured by smaller species that appear less menacing.

Key tips to prevent marine life injuries:
• Don’t handle, tease, or feed marine life.
• Avoid exploring crevices with your hands.
• Develop excellent buoyancy control, and stay aware of your surroundings.
• Don’t let currents push you against fixed objects, which may be covered with marine animals.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Research the area's species before diving.

Marine animals are generally harmless unless they are deliberately or accidentally threatened or disturbed. When in doubt, keep your distance and enjoy the underwater world safely and respectfully!

For more information, visit DAN.org/Health/Hazardous-Marine-Life.

Hazardous Marine Life Injuries while observing marine life in its habitat, though rare, may occur as a result of an uninformed swimmer or diver’s actions.

Faith Ortins is a lifelong diver, and her love for the ocean and devotion to educating people about safe diving practices drive her dive career. From being a high school science teacher and dive shop owner to playing a vital role in developing the first women’s drysuits in the 1990s, Ortins is considered a subject matter expert on coldwater diving and the complexities of thermal protection. Read more about Faith here: dan.org/member-profile-faith-ortins/.

✍️ by Kyle Kray

Stay safe during Florida’s Spiny Lobster Sport Mini Season, occurring July 24 and 25 (and July 14 if you are a Florida resident). 🦞

If you're planning to hunt for lobsters this mini season, remember these dive safety tips:

🫧Check your air often- don't get distracted by the thrill of the hunt.

🐡Stay within the limits of your body and training, especially amid strong currents.

👯‍♀️Always dive with a buddy, and stay close.

📞In the event of an emergency, first call 911, ten call DAN's Emergency Hotline: 1-919-684-9111

For more information about lobster mini season safety, visit https://dan.org/safety-prevention/diver-safety/psa/lobster-mini-season-safety/

Have you spotted a shark on your dive? 🦈

Great white sharks are iconic, impressive, photogenic, & awe-inspiring but also frustrating. That frustration is not all about the animal — part of it is how few places in the world you can see them. Read about where you can see great white sharks here: dan.org/south-australias-great-white-shark-adventure/.

📸 by Stephen Frink

Maintaining unaltered mental function is crucial for dive safety. Supported by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), DAN Research is investigating the effectiveness of a head-mounted Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) device in assessing the neurological effects of diving.

DAN and its collaborators, including Global Underwater Explorers (GUE), recently tested the Triton Systems device at Deep Dive Dubai, the world's deepest diving pool. Watch this video for an in-depth look: youtube.com/watch?v=9JsCtTQUpbE

Disclaimer: This material is based upon work supported by the Department of Defense (DoD) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program under Contract No. W81XWH21C0061. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of DAN and do not necessarily reflect the views of the DoD SBIR Program or the US Army Medical Research (USAMRDC).

Happy Fourth of July from DAN! Whether you're watching fireworks or exploring underwater wonders, make it a safe holiday to remember! 🎆

If you have a DAN liability insurance policy, it may be time for you to renew your coverage. Make sure to check the expiration date on your policy so you don’t create a gap in your coverage, which can leave you unprotected against prior acts.

To learn more about DAN Professional, Group Professional, and General Liability Insurance, visit https://dan.org/membership-insurance/liability/

From now through July 7, save on select DAN dry bags. Visit our online store for this limited-time Fourth of July sale! shop.dan.org/collections/sale

DAN representatives recently attended the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society Annual Scientific Meeting. 📚🔬🤿 Here’s what one of our interns shared after the event:

"The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society’s Annual Scientific Meeting was an awesome experience! As a STEM scholarship awardee, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the world of pressure science. From learning about how humans work in pressurized environments to understanding the benefits of hyperbaric medicine, this conference was a treasure trove of knowledge.”

“One of the highlights was meeting some of the top scientists and physicians in the field! I connected with experts in wound care, discussed the management of DCS and AGE in divers, and had conversations with attendees from all walks of life.”

“I want to thank UHMS for providing this scholarship. My interest in scuba diving led me here, but I left with so much more — a newfound appreciation for the applications of hyperbaric medicine."