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Inner-ear decompression sickness (IEDCS) is one of the conditions more likely to occur in technical and mixed-gas diving

Inner-Ear Barotrauma vs. DCS

3 years ago By Matthew Meier

Technical diving, and technical mixed-gas diving in particular, presents divers with increased risks and a unique set of hazards. Mixed-gas divers need to manage complex equipment, multiple breathing gases, and mitigate their risk of narcosis and the hazards caused by increased gas density by replacing some, or all, of the nitrogen in their breathing gas with helium. This use of high-content helium gases requires special considerations for gas switching and an adjustment of ascent rates and decompression time, and it can pose additional risks.

Photo courtesy of Matthew Meier

Stings & Scrapes — Part 2

3 years ago By Main minion

Stingrays

Stingrays are frequently considered dangerous or threatening but largely without cause. These are shy fish that generally present no threat to divers unless stepped on or deliberately antagonized. Most stingray injuries occur in shallow water when beachgoers step on the animals. Stingrays can vary in size from just a few inches to more than six feet wide and have a serrated barb at the end of their tails that can cause serious injuries. At the base of the barb are two venomous glands that can cause infections and exacerbate an initial penetrating wound.

Surviving Lockdown

Words
Matt Jevon
Download the full article as pdf ⬇︎

For most of us in lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, being away from diving in itself is enough to cause withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes, factors such as work, weather and lifestyle can mean that we take longish breaks, although I do not think anyone has taken such a long break before—certainly not one that left no choice and one that required significant lifestyle changes and restrictions.

DAN Answers FAQs About Returning to Diving

3 years ago By Matthew Meier
Covered topics include safety practices for retail areas, staff and client interactions, dive boat operations, gear disinfection protocols and more. As dive professionals, dive operators and dive business owners prepare and develop plans to resume operation, DAN encourages all to review Dive Operations and COVID-19: Prepping for Return. In addition to taking a look at these frequently asked questions, be sure to check out some of our other articles and resources at DAN.org/COVID-19.
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