Medical & Fitness

The hyperbaric chamber at Rigshospitalet, Denmark’s national hospital, also treats divers with decompression illness.

Hyperbaric Chamber Deaths Raise Questions—but Divers Should Not Worry

A tragic incident in Arizona on 11 July has ignited some public debate and concerns around the safety of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. A physical therapist died following a flash fire inside a hyperbaric chamber at a health and wellness clinic in Lake Havasu City, which was not a medical-grade hyperbaric therapy facility. This is the second such fatality reported in the United States this year. In a similar case, a 5-year-old boy died in February when an oxygen-rich chamber exploded at a Michigan clinic.

DAN Introduces 2025 Interns

The DAN internship program was started in 1999 to give qualified candidates valuable experience in dive safety research. 

While the program is still research-oriented, its scope has expanded over the years to include projects that focus on other aspects of DAN’s mission to help divers in need of emergency medical assistance and to promote dive safety through education. 

Today, DAN interns participate in a range of activities including field work, lab studies, outreach, training program development, and other projects that promote dive safety.

There are now significant gaps in the coverage of hyperbaric treatment facilities in England.

England Faces Critical Shortage of Hyperbaric Chambers for Divers

This decision follows a recent procurement process where three recompression chambers in the Midlands, North West, and North East of England were unsuccessful in their bids to continue providing HBOT services. The British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) warns that this could leave vast regions without accessible treatment for decompression illness (DCI) and arterial gas embolism (AGE), conditions that require immediate medical attention.

DAN Launches Continuing Education for Dive Professionals Course 2: Boat Diving

This free course focuses on risk mitigation on dive boats and is now available to all dive professionals via DAN E-Learning. DAN expects this program will not only enhance divers’ safety but will also help reduce dive operators’ liability risk.

To encourage participation, DAN is offering discounted premiums on individual professional liability and group professional liability insurance to all DAN members who complete the e-learning, which can be done in about an hour. 

IANTD and SEI Adopt “Powered By DAN” First Aid Programs

The International Association of Nitrox and Technical Divers (IANTD) and Scuba Educators International (SEI) have joined NAUI in embracing the Powered By DAN program. 

Through Powered By DAN, dive training agencies incorporate the skills and standards of DAN’s basic life support, CPR, oxygen administration, and other courses into their first aid training.

DAN Launches The DANcast, a Podcast To Inspire Safer Diving

The series combines practical knowledge with personal stories to inform and inspire. Building on DAN's educational mission, the podcast is intended to enhance listeners’ knowledge and empower them to make safer, smarter decisions during their own adventures.

The show brings together a variety of voices — safety and medical experts, researchers, equipment manufacturers, underwater photographers and filmmakers, dive operators, and other passionate professionals who believe in DAN's mission. 

Orcas
Orcas (unknown author / CC BY-SA 4.0 via wikimedia commons)

Killer Whales' Specialized Attack on Whale Sharks

The study, which was led by Francesca Pancaldi, used photographic and video evidence to show how a pod of killer whales (Orcinus orca) employed a collaborative approach to target the whale sharks' pelvic area, including the claspers and pelvic fins. This strategy caused significant blood loss and allowed the killer whales access to the sharks’ lipid-rich livers, which is a highly nutritious part of the prey.

Connect With DAN at DEMA: Member Social, Appointments, Seminars, and More

Join DAN and your fellow dive industry professionals at the DAN Member Social at DEMA for an evening of conversation, refreshments, and fun. As your dive safety organization, we’ll raise a glass to all who work tirelessly to promote safe diving. 

We hope you’ll join us on Tuesday, November 19, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. in Ballrooms A and B at the Westgate Las Vegas

Meet With DAN

DAN Launches “Every Diver” Campaign Featuring Member Testimonials

Designed to promote DAN membership by raising awareness of the organization’s safety programs and its proven track record of helping divers, the campaign features compelling storytelling by DAN members from every corner of the dive industry. 

Each member has a unique story, but they share a common bond: Year after year, they all put their trust in DAN’s medical, safety, research, and insurance services.

DAN at 2024 Scuba Show

Divers Alert Network (DAN), the world’s leading dive safety organization, will connect with attendees next weekend at Scuba Show, Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Throughout the event, the DAN team will be recording video testimonials in room 402A-B, located on the second floor of the venue near the event seminars.