Steve's Library of Articles

Divers Alert Network

WHAT IS DAN?

The Divers Alert Network (DAN), was founded in 1981 to assist in the treatment of underwater diving accidents by providing a 24 hour telephone emergency number (919) 684-8111 and to increase diving safety awareness through education. Emergency calls are received at the Peter B. Bennett Center in Durham, North Carolina, the location of DAN headquarters. The initial response is by a trained individual. For medical problems the caller is connected with a physician experienced in diving medicine. These physicians assist with diagnosis and initial treatment of the accident and supervise referral to appropriate recompression chambers while working with regional coordinators throughout the nation.  DAN does not maintain any treatment facility and does not directly provide any form of treatment, but it is a service that complements existing medical systems. DAN's most important function is facilitating the entry of the injured diver into the hyperbaric trauma care system by coordinating the efforts of everyone involved in the victim's care.

DAN MISSION STATEMENT

Divers Alert Network (DAN), a non-profit organization, exists to provide expert medical information and advice for the benefit of the diving public. DAN's historical and primary function is to provide emergency medical advice and assistance for underwater diving injuries, to work to prevent injuries and to promote diving safety.  Second, DAN promotes and supports underwater diving research and education, particularly as it relates to the improvement of diving safety, medical treatment and first aid. Third, DAN strives to provide the most accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information on issues of common concern to the diving public, primarily, but not exclusively, for diving safety. Another important DAN function is collecting and analyzing data on diving accidents to improve the understanding of the causes of these accidents and develop better treatment methods. Calls for routine information that do not concern a suspected diving injury or emergency should be directed to the DAN information number (919) 684-2948 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. Please do not call for chamber location. Chamber availability changes periodically, making obsolete information dangerous at the time of an emergency.  DAN is a nonprofit organization that receives most of its funding from memberships and donations. Donations are tax deductible.

DAN provides expert information and advice to the diving public, promotes and supports diving research, and maintains a 24-hour emergency hotline for diving accidents. All members receive ALERT DIVER, Dan's bimonthly magazine. In addition, all members are covered under the ASSIST AMERICA plan, which provides free emergency evacuation and a number of important hospital readmission and legal services for members and their dependents during any travel more than 100 miles from home. Diving accident insurance packages are available to residents of the USA and Canada on both individual and family levels. Please call or write for prices and details.

DAN CONTACT INFORMATION

WRITE TO:

Divers Alert Network

The Peter B. Bennett Center

6 West Colony Place

Durham, North Carolina 27705

CALL, FAX OR EMAIL:

24-hour diving emergencies: (919) 684-8111

Information and membership: (800) 446-2671

FAX: (919) 490-6630

email: dan@dan.ycg.org

VISIT:  www.diversalertnetwork.org

Steve Gerrard lives in the Puerto Aventuras marina resort.  He has been safely teaching cave diving for twenty five years.  His favorite activity is underwater cave photography using the NIKON 100 digital camera with a Light & Motion Titan Housing using Ikelite strobes.  He is the author of the famous guidebook titled - THE CENOTES OF THE RIVIERIA MAYA and soon to be published  CENOTE DIVING - SAFE & FUN.   You can contact Steve at:

stevegerrard@cavediver.com  or  www.steve-gerrard.com