La Línea de Emergencia de DAN brinda asistencia médica de emergencia las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana, a buceadores de todo el mundo, de forma gratuita e independientemente del estado de membresía de DAN. Este servicio continuo es posible gracias a los médicos y doctores de DAN que trabajan en turnos en diferentes zonas horarias, lo que garantiza que siempre haya un experto médico de buceo disponible en la línea.
En los últimos 44 años, la Línea de Emergencia de DAN se ha transformado significativamente sin dejar de mantenerse fiel a su misión original de ayudar a los buceadores que lo necesitan. Inicialmente atendida por un pequeño grupo de enfermeras y médicos de buceo apoyados por médicos de guardia durante el horario comercial y durante la noche, la línea directa ahora se ha expandido a un equipo de más de 40 médicos, enfermeras y doctores. Están distribuidos en cuatro continentes y brindan asistencia en cinco idiomas diferentes. Para garantizar un servicio óptimo a la comunidad de buceo de habla inglesa en varias zonas horarias y durante la noche, DAN ha establecido centros de llamadas dedicados en Nueva Zelanda y Sudáfrica.
En julio de 2024, cinco años después de establecer sus operaciones de línea directa en Nueva Zelanda, DAN organizó un intercambio de médicos entre su centro de llamadas en Auckland, Nueva Zelanda, y su sede en Durham, Carolina del Norte. Dos médicos experimentados de DAN, Megan Smith y Leandra Lynn, intercambiaron lugares, viajaron casi 10,000 millas y se adaptaron a una diferencia horaria de 16 horas. Cada médico trabajó desde el centro de llamadas de DAN en el lado opuesto del mundo durante dos semanas. Después de regresar a sus oficinas en casa, Smith y Lynn compartieron sus conocimientos de la experiencia.
¿Cómo fue trabajar como médico de DAN en una oficina diferente?
Smith: “My time at DAN’s headquarters was everything I thought it’d be and more! The Medical Services team in North Carolina made the transition smooth, and the collaborative environment at headquarters made it easy and comfortable to ask questions and gather information. It was great seeing everyone face to face after working together remotely for so long. The experience not only boosted my confidence as a DAN medic but also strengthened my relationships with the team. I believe these two weeks brought to light opportunities for improvement within each office and in our collaborative efforts.”
Lynn: “Spending time at the New Zealand hotline center was a really valuable experience. I found it easy to integrate with DAN’s Auckland team. No matter where you are in the world, medical professionals tend to share a sense of humor! Our offices have worked together since 2019, but this was my first time seeing the Auckland medics in person due to COVID-19 and the sheer distance.
Over the two weeks, I gained a better understanding of the training, operations, and challenges faced by medics outside of DAN’s headquarters. Together with the New Zealand team, we exchanged knowledge, further refined call processes, and developed a comprehensive training document to ensure shifts are aligned across offices.”
¿Cuáles fueron las diferencias entre su oficina en casa y la que visitó?
Smith: “In terms of DAN Medical Services and my role, the most significant difference when working at headquarters compared to Auckland’s hotline office was the medical information line. The larger North Carolina team operates not only the emergency hotline but also the la línea de información médica during headquarters’ regular business hours. Currently, New Zealand medics only take emergency hotline calls since we operate beyond DAN’s regular hours.
Another difference in North Carolina was the convenience of being in the same building and time zone as DAN’s other departments. However, it’s clear that DAN is committed to making it easier for all medics, regardless of where we’re based, to provide the same caliber of seamless service. The medic exchange was a big step toward bringing our offices and resources even closer together to deliver the best and most consistent experience possible for divers in need, which is what it’s all about!”
Lynn: “The Medical Services team at headquarters often makes incremental changes to improve how we address issues, focus on certain points, and exchange knowledge. Following the medic swap, we’re working to establish an updated process with screensharing for application changes and real-time feedback via a video call to ensure all hotline offices remain in sync as we improve and evolve. These two weeks drove home that DAN is committed to providing all of us with the guidance and resources needed to provide the best possible support to divers — whether answering a call in North Carolina, New Zealand, or South Africa.”
*Editorial note: For non-emergency questions about dive medicine and fitness to dive, call +1-919-684-2948, Option 4, Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. ET; or submit the Formulario en Línea Consulte a un médico
¿Cómo pasó su tiempo libre explorando el área local durante su viaje?
Smith: “North Carolina is very different from Auckland, especially with driving on the opposite side of the road and turning right on a red light! I explored North Carolina beyond DAN’s headquarters and visited downtown Durham, UNC-Chapel Hill, and Raleigh. I also had the opportunity to tour The Duke Center for Hyperbaric Medicine. What an incredible facility.
I was struck by the variety of food options in America. It was difficult to choose because I wanted to try everything! I sampled North Carolina BBQ, which was delicious. I also tried axe throwing, which is something I would probably never do back home!”
Lynn: “While jetlagged on my arrival day, I went bungee jumping from the Auckland Harbor Bridge. One weekend, I drove up north with a friend who lives in the area, and visited Cape Reinga, as well as Waitangi and Whangarei Falls. I also visited Rotorua and got to cross zorbing off my bucket list. Driving on the wrong side of the road was a bit terrifying!
You can’t visit New Zealand and leave without seeing a Kiwi, so I visited a Kiwi hatchery as well! I tried a variety of foods more common in the country, such as Marmite and Feijoa. The New Zealand team were wonderful hosts.”
Lea las publicaciones, La Línea de Emergencia de DAN celebra cinco años de operaciones en Nueva Zelanda,para saber más.
Línea de Emergencia: + 1.919.684.9111
Respuestas originales editadas por razones de espacio.