Nitrogen narcosis can lead to deadly consequences. Understanding the risk factors and ensuring that you and your dive buddies have discussed how to mitigate risk can potentially save lives. If you are stung by a jellyfish, watch for symptoms associated with Irukandji syndrome. If symptoms develop, know that it is a potentially deadly condition that doctors can help treat. Pay attention to local marine life bulletins and announcements. The best ways to mitigate jellyfish envenomation risk are to wear full exposure suits and avoid jellyfish when they are prevalent in the water.
I REMEMBER SITTING AT MY COMPUTER while thinking about all the ibuprofen I had been popping for the past 18 hours and wondering why I still had the dull, aching pain in my shoulder. Could this be more than soreness from carrying gear back and forth from our shore entry point or exertion from a […]
I TAKE A GIANT STRIDE off the back of the boat and splash into a cascade of tingling, magical bubbles. The sea’s embrace is chilly; I can feel the 74˚F water through my 5 mm wetsuit and thick 4 mm hood. My vision clears as the …
DAN EMERGENCY SERVICES RECEIVED A CALL via satellite phone from a liveaboard anchored off a remote island in the Galápagos. A DAN member was concerned about their bunkmate exhibiting symptoms following the day’s dive activities. The diver had completed four dives that day. Although she began to show symptoms following the second dive, the inexperienced […]
A COMMERCIAL DIVER FRIEND TOLD ME YEARS AGO that people like me — recreational divers who do commercial diving work — are often referred to as yahoos.
I was always comfortable underwater and, at 78 years old, still am.
Ma première confrontation avec la réalité en tant que professionnel de la plongée a eu lieu après une semaine de travail avec un couple. Chaque jour, ils demandaient des guides de plongée privés et une assistance personnalisée.
EN TANT QUE PLONGEURS, NOUS DEVONS prendre des mesures supplémentaires lors de nos vérifications avant la plongée pour nous assurer que notre binôme dispose de son équipement de sécurité et de signalisation afin d'être prêts en cas d'urgence.
EN TANT QU'OFFICIER DE LA FAUNE, je passe d'innombrables heures sur l'eau. En tant qu'instructeur de la National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), j'ai également passé beaucoup de temps à enseigner et à plonger.
BEING STUNG BY A LIONFISH is like being bitten by a poisonous snake. I found that out the hard way.
The spiny devilfish (Inimicus didactylus) is a member of the family Scorpaenidae, which also contains the venomous lionfish, stonefish, and scorpionfish. These fish conceal glandular venom-producing daggers within their dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins. Divers — especially underwater photographers who may focus on one creature while others sidle up under their legs — must be aware of these animals’ subtle defense maneuvers.
