Divers Alert Network

Divers Alert Network Divers Alert Network (DAN) is the world's leading dive safety association. Join the DAN community or learn more at DAN.org.

It is our mission is to help divers in need of medical emergency assistance and to promote dive safety through research, education, products and diving services. The world’s most recognized and respected dive safety organization, Divers Alert Network (DAN) has remained committed to the health and well-being of divers for 40 years. The organization’s research, medical services and global-response programs create an extensive network that supports divers with vital services such as injury prevention, safety and educational programs and lifesaving evacuations. Every year, hundreds of thousands of divers around the world look to DAN as their dive safety organization.

On a dive trip, an unexpected emergency reminded everyone why preparation matters. What helped save a life wasn’t panic ...
01/02/2026

On a dive trip, an unexpected emergency reminded everyone why preparation matters. What helped save a life wasn’t panic or luck. It was a simple tourniquet. The experience changed how those involved approach dive safety forever.

Read the full story here: https://dan.org/alert-diver/article/a-tourniquet-saves-a-divers-life/

Remember, your dive kit only helps if you know how to use it. Take a moment to review what you carry and refresh your skills with a first aid course: dan.org/education-events/instructor-led-courses



📷 by Stephen Frink

Happy New Year from all of us at Divers Alert Network! Here’s to a safe and inspiring year ahead.🎆
01/01/2026

Happy New Year from all of us at Divers Alert Network! Here’s to a safe and inspiring year ahead.🎆

Q: I am a dive instructor, and I had some ear pain while descending with a class. I pushed through it to stay with my st...
12/30/2025

Q: I am a dive instructor, and I had some ear pain while descending with a class. I pushed through it to stay with my students, but more than four days later my ears still feel like they have water in them. Should I see a doctor, or will this heal on its own?

A: If you are symptomatic following a dive, DAN always recommends that you seek a physician’s evaluation, preferably by a doctor trained in dive medicine. The symptoms you describe are often the result of middle-ear barotrauma (MEBT), which is a pressure injury typically caused by inadequate or forceful equalization.

Negative pressure in the middle ear causes micro-tears, which lead to the release of blood and serous fluid. This fluid release is what typically causes the feeling of fullness or water in the ear. If you experience MEBT and feel the urge to forcefully equalize or clear your ears, don’t do it. Adding pressure to a pressure-injured area will likely exacerbate the injury and can cause extended healing time.

MEBT with no additional injuries usually heals on its own in about four to six weeks with minimal to no intervention. In some cases, however, a rupture of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) can accompany MEBT. Anti-inflammatory and decongestant medications may help relieve your symptoms. A physician’s evaluation will verify whether you need additional treatment or antibiotics. If your physician refers you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for consultation, any ENT doctor can evaluate and treat these injuries without needing specific training in dive medicine.

It is your responsibility as an instructor to be an example of safe diving practices, including teaching students that it is OK to slow down, especially on descents and ascents. If anyone has difficulty, it’s important not to push through it. A diver may need to ascend to facilitate equalization before attempting to descend again. If it’s still unsuccessful, abort the dive.

MEBT accounts for about 40% of cases reported to DAN, but the dive community can help reduce those numbers by teaching others how to avoid those injuries.

— Ryan Gan, NREMT

12/29/2025

Divers Alert Network and the Office of Naval Research (ONR) have partnered to inspire the next generation of scientists and make tomorrow’s divers safer than ever. From decompression research and underwater physiology to equipment engineering and hyperbaric medicine, this initiative empowers young minds to help shape the future of diving.

Together, we’re working toward a brighter future for diving. Learn more at: DAN.org/Research-Reports/Get-Involved/Careers-in-Dive-Research.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Divers Alert Network! 🎄Wishing you a holiday season filled with joy, laughter, and spe...
12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from all of us at Divers Alert Network! 🎄

Wishing you a holiday season filled with joy, laughter, and special moments with the people who matter most.

Physical fitness supports safer diving, but when and how you exercise around dives matters. Finding the right balance is...
12/24/2025

Physical fitness supports safer diving, but when and how you exercise around dives matters.

Finding the right balance isn’t always easy, especially for active divers. Understanding how different types of exercise affect your body before and after a dive can help you make safer decisions and build important safety buffers.

Read the full Alert Diver article here: dan.org/alert-diver/article/exercise-and-decompression-risk.

Cruise ships are stirring things up, and coral reefs are paying the price.If you’re planning a cruise, choose ships with...
12/23/2025

Cruise ships are stirring things up, and coral reefs are paying the price.

If you’re planning a cruise, choose ships with less environmental impact. Friends of the Earth releases an annual Cruise Ship Report Card that grades 15 different cruise lines. A helpful resource for making a more sustainable travel choice.

Read the full DAN article here: dan.org/alert-diver/article/cruise-ships-are-stirring-things-up.

12/22/2025

DAN recently hosted the Instructor Qualification Course (IQC) and Instructor Trainer Qualification Course (IQTC), co-taught with the Powered by DAN partner training agencies: SSI, NAUI, IANTD, and SEI.

Through Powered by DAN, dive training agencies integrate DAN’s full curriculum for basic life support, CPR, oxygen administration, and first aid directly into their programs. The goal is simple but critical: capable first aid providers at every dive site.

DAN’s curriculum is the most comprehensive in the dive industry, covering more skills than any other courses for lay providers.

Learn more at DAN.org/Powered-By-DAN

12/18/2025

What can the diving capabilities of a Weddell seal teach us about human breath-hold diving physiology? 🦭

Dive into the science with Michael Lang, Ph.D., co-director and research faculty at the UC San Diego Center of Excellence in Diving. Drawing from decades of research in marine science, scientific diving, and dive safety, Lang explores innovation and technology in diving.

Watch the full presentation from DEMA Show 2025 here: https://youtu.be/uww5gZZ-7k8

Most divers know that failing to equalize can cause pain or injury but fewer realize that unequal equalization of the tw...
12/17/2025

Most divers know that failing to equalize can cause pain or injury but fewer realize that unequal equalization of the two ears can lead to disorientation and vertigo underwater.

From jaw movement to the Valsalva maneuver, choosing an equalization method that minimizes middle-ear stress is key.

This article explores alternobaric vertigo, what causes it, and how divers can reduce their risk. Read more here: dan.org/alert-diver/article/understanding-alternobaric-vertigo.

Part of being a great diver is knowing when you may need a refresher course! 🤿For your first dive after a period of inac...
12/16/2025

Part of being a great diver is knowing when you may need a refresher course! 🤿

For your first dive after a period of inactivity:
✔ Consider diving with a Divemaster or Instructor
✔ Practice your skills in confined water before you dive in open water
✔ or sign up for a refresher course with a local dive shop

When underwater rescues go beyond standard training, IUCRR answers the call.The International Underwater Cave Rescue and...
12/15/2025

When underwater rescues go beyond standard training, IUCRR answers the call.

The International Underwater Cave Rescue and Recovery (IUCRR) supports public safety dive teams during incidents in extreme environments, such as underwater caves, confined spaces, and deep water, when local capabilities are exceeded.

As water activities increase, so does the need for highly specialized rescue and recovery support. IUCRR is rebuilding its operational strength and welcoming motivated, qualified divers who want to make a real impact.

Read more and learn how to get involved:
dan.org/alert-diver/article/answering-the-call.



Photo © Courtesy IUCRR

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Our Story

The world’s most recognized and respected dive safety organization, Divers Alert Network (DAN) has remained committed to the health and well-being of divers for almost 40 years. The organization’s research, medical services and global-response programs support an extensive network capable of reaching divers with vital injury-prevention initiatives, educational programs and lifesaving evacuations. Every day, hundreds of thousands of divers around the world look to DAN as their dive safety organization. To learn more or to become a DAN member, visit DAN.org.