Maintaining a respectful distance from potentially harmful species underwater is a tenet of good recreational diving and a frequent topic of charter boat predive briefs. But those venomous fish you have learned to avoid might save your life someday.
The DAN Emergency Hotline provides 24/7 emergency medical assistance to divers worldwide without charge and regardless of DAN membership status. DAN medics and physicians working in shifts across different time zones make this continuous service possible, ensuring that a dive medical expert is always available.
Capturing good pictures of whales is among the most rewarding photographic experiences an underwater photographer can have. These majestic and charismatic creatures evoke wonder, and the time spent with them will likely be unforgettable. The environments where you find them, however, along with their sheer size and elusive nature present challenges.
Hometown: Orlando, FloridaAge: 67Years Diving: 55Why I’m a DAN Member: I want to be a part of an organization that freely gives back to the dive community and ensures that […]
David Doubilet said it first and best. “He uses boundless imagination and a keen eye to peel back the surface and expose a world that is beautiful, bizarre, and wonderfully unexpected,” Doubilet said about Alex Kirkbride’s remarkable underwater photographic journey through all 50 states for his book American Waters.
In 1943 a hyperbaric chamber in London reached an air pressure equal to 300 feet (91 meters), and nitrogen narcosis hammered the three dry divers inside. They reached for the rubber mouthpieces of their dive gear, which delivered 100% oxygen.
Many divers wear contact lenses without issue during their dives. It’s crucial, however, to be aware of potential challenges, such as increased dryness or irritation due to factors like dry air in the dive mask, prolonged wear, mask squeezes, or exposure to saltwater. Maintaining good hygiene practices, including thorough handwashing before handling lenses and avoiding contamination, is essential.
Indonesia’s archipelagic beauty and marine biodiversity lure divers from around the world. As the country’s popularity as an international dive destination grows, so does the complexity of dive safety. Protecting divers is no small feat across this landscape of more than 17,000 islands, many dotted with dive sites in remote locations lacking medical infrastructure.
DAN’s vision is to make every dive incident- and accident-free. Improvements in training, equipment, operations, dive boats, and dive computers have made diving significantly safer. The safety of a dive, however, relies heavily on the diver’s practices.
In the last issue of Alert Diver we shared the harrowing story of an attack on a fossil-hunting river diver by a 13-foot alligator. In this issue we’re bringing you more educational articles related to hazardous marine life encounters.
