Diver Health & Safety

Preconditioning for Safer Scuba Diving

This column is adapted from a chapter in my book, Scuba Physiological – Think you know all about Scuba Medicine? Think Again! The chapters in this book were originally written by scientists in the field of decompression research as part of a three-year project called PHYPODE (Physiology of Decompression). My (self-appointed) task was to rewrite their sometimes-complex research in a form accessible to all divers.

Ear Problems in Diving – Part 3: The Inner Ear

Diagram of the ear
Figure 1. Diagram of the ear, showing the anatomy of the inner ear. (Image source: Wikimedia / CC BY 2.5. Labels: Dr Michael Rothschild)

Many people suffer from ear problems during and after diving. Technical rebreather diver and underwater photographer Dr Michael Rothschild is an ear, nose and throat specialist in New York City. In this series, he walks us through some of the common causes of dive-related ear problems, and how to treat and prevent them.

DAN Thanks Dive Pros and Businesses for a Great 2022

Its Enhanced Membership, launched earlier this year, has already been adopted by more than half of its members.

Its liability insurance program has been embraced by every training agency in the industry.

And now, DAN has the highest number of Business Members and Professional Members in the history of the organization.

“We are so grateful for the support we receive from the wonderful people of this industry,” said DAN president and CEO Bill Ziefle.

Ear Problems in Diving – Part 2: The Middle Ear

Diver equalizing. Photo: Torben Gregersen/Flickr/CC BY NC 2.0
Diver equalizing. Photo: Torben Gregersen/Flickr/CC BY NC 2.0

Many people suffer from ear problems during and after diving. Technical rebreather diver and underwater photographer Dr Michael Rothschild is an ear, nose and throat specialist in New York City. In this series, he walks us through some of the common causes of dive-related ear problems, and how to treat and prevent them.

DAN Announces DEMA Show Party, Seminar Schedule, and More

As your dive safety organization, we will raise a glass to all who work tirelessly to promote safe diving. We hope you’ll join us on Tuesday, November 1, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Ballroom Grand C.

Meet With DAN

If you’re planning to be at the show, make an appointment to learn what DAN can do for your dive business. We have numerous programs you can benefit from, including Student Membership, rewards for new member referrals, and discounts on both retail products and professional liability insurance.

DAN and Indonesia Ministry of Tourism Advance Commitment to Safe Diving

DAN President and CEO Bill Ziefle and COO Panchabi Vaithiyanathan met with Indonesia Minister of Tourism Dr. Sandiaga Uno on September 1 to further the two organizations’ Partnership to Promote Diving Safety.

The meeting took place in Jakarta amid the opening of Deep and Extreme Indonesia, Asia’s largest outdoor adventure, diving, and marine tourism show, and followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding earlier this year in which the organizations committed to working together to promote safe diving.

Ear Problems in Diving: Part 1 — The Outer Ear

Lars Chittka; Axel Brockmann; as modified by Jmarchn / CC BY 4.0
Lars Chittka; Axel Brockmann; as modified by Jmarchn / CC BY 4.0

Many people suffer from ear problems during and after diving. Technical rebreather diver and underwater photographer Dr. Michael Rothschild is an ear, nose and throat specialist in New York City. In this series, he walks us through some of the common causes of dive-related ear problems, and how to treat and prevent them.

Thermal stress

A rapid chilling of superficial skeletal muscles (conductive cooling) creates a crippling weakening.

Thermal issues affect the comfort, performance and decompression stress experienced by divers. The impact varies with the timing, direction and magnitude of the thermal stress. Thermal protection can be provided by a variety of passive and active systems. Active systems should be used with particular care since they can markedly alter inert gas exchange and decompression risk.

DAN Encourages Safe Diving During Florida Lobster Mini Season

While it’s a fun, challenging and tasty experience for most, more than 20 divers have lost their lives during mini season in the last decade.

Through analysis of these tragic deaths, researchers at Divers Alert Network (DAN) have identified the most relevant contributing factors and most important safety practices for divers participating in the annual event.

These tips probably won’t surprise you, but sometimes the most basic precautions are the most likely to save a life.