For more than 40 years, DAN has been here to help divers, dive professionals, and health care providers stay safer and better prepared. With its vision of making every dive accident and injury-free, DAN Medical Services offers an array of essential services trusted by millions of divers worldwide
Factfile
About DAN: 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, educational programs and lifesaving evacuations. Every year, hundreds of thousands of divers around the world look to DAN as their dive safety organization. Join the DAN community or learn more at DAN.org.
DAN’s new video highlights some of the ways DAN is here to help divers — before, during, and after emergencies.
24/7 Emergency Hotline
DAN medics are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to assist divers and medical personnel manage diving emergencies through the DAN Emergency Hotline. Since the hotline became operational in 1981, the Medical Services team has fielded tens of thousands of emergency calls and managed thousands of emergency medical evacuations around the world.
In event of a dive emergency, call local emergency medical services, then call DAN at +1 (919) 684-9111. See a timeline of an emergency call.
Medical Information Line
DAN Medical Services handles more than dive injuries. DAN medics operate the medical information line, which can be used by members to get answers to questions about dive medicine, fitness to dive, illnesses, medications, and more.
The DAN Medical Information Line is available during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. ET) at +1 (919) 684-2948, Option 4.
Ask A Medic Online
Divers can connect with an EMT, paramedic, or nurse through DAN’s Ask A Medic feature on DAN.org. Used for non-emergency inquiries, Ask A Medic is especially valuable to divers seeking medical information when traveling out of the country or in areas with limited cell phone service.
Physician Referral Network
DAN maintains a worldwide network of physicians who serve the diving public. If you need a doctor to conduct a diving physical or would like a consultation with a dive medicine specialist in your area, DAN can connect you with a doctor trained in dive medicine.
If you are a physician who would like to become part of DAN’s referral network, apply today.
Online Health Resources
DAN Medical Services maintains a comprehensive collection of online resources that provide valuable information on topics critical to diver health and safety as well as common issues encountered by new and experienced divers. These resources include DAN’s diseases and conditions library, dive medical reference books, health and safety guidelines, smart guides, and safety quizzes.
DAN Medical Services also provides information about preventing COVID-19 while diving, how to properly disinfect scuba equipment, and diving after recovering from the illness.
“Divers should know that DAN is here every step of the way as you return to diving,” said Bill Ziefle, DAN president and CEO.
“For many, this spring and summer will be the first time back in the water after an extended period of inactivity during the pandemic. Our Medical Services team is standing by, ready to assist members with medical questions or to manage medical care in the event of an injury.”
As you make plans to dive and travel this summer, remember that access to DAN Medical Services is an important benefit of both Regular Membership and DAN’s new Enhanced Membership. Whether you’re looking for an answer to a simple question or you need assistance with a medical emergency in progress, we are here to help.