A
popular theory states that it takes 10,000
hours of practice to become an expert
in a field. Since its inception in 1980, the
DAN Emergency Hotline has served the
diving community for more than 300,000
consecutive hours and counting. Divers facing a medical
emergency know they can call the DAN Emergency
Hotline at +1-919-684-9111 any time, day or night.
To date, this service has helped thousands of injured
divers — members and nonmembers alike. Regardless of
where you are in the world, when something goes wrong,
call DAN.
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to
dial that emergency number, here is what you can expect:
The operator who answers
your call will record basic
information such as your
name, location and a call-
back number; then your call
will be transferred to a DAN medical information specialist,
who has the experience and training to handle your
concerns with sensitivity and professionalism. Depending
on the time of day, there may be a short delay while the
operator transfers the call. If the call is disconnected,
someone from DAN will return your call promptly.
The medic who takes the call will quickly confirm
the information provided by the operator and request
additional information about your emergency. It may be
necessary to contact one of our attending physicians or
access other resources such as DAN TravelAssist® to get
you the help you need. It is not uncommon for certain
situations to require multiple calls as events unfold. It is
therefore extremely important that you try to provide DAN
with accurate and multiple points of contact.
Connecting with DAN at the earliest possible
opportunity helps ensure you get the best available
medical care. Once you are at a local medical facility,
DAN can provide critical support to the attending
physician and on-site medical personnel. With 34 years
of accruing experience and building affiliations with the
top dive-medicine physicians in the world, DAN offers a
wealth of resources that would otherwise be unavailable
to many local doctors.
If medically necessary or if there is a need for additional
chamber treatments, DAN may arrange evacuation
to a facility that can offer a higher standard of care.
Organizing medical transportation or an air ambulance is
a complex process; it often takes several hours to secure
arrangements and execute transfer, so the earlier DAN
can evaluate the situation and initiate the process, the
sooner you will have the medical attention you require.
Payment for services in foreign countries can also be
an issue. In such cases, DAN can intervene to arrange
payment for medical services or provide appropriate
payment guarantees so you will receive medically
necessary treatments. With DAN dive accident insurance,
you should never be required to make payment to a
hyperbaric chamber or medical facility. DAN will ensure
that 100 percent of eligible expenses are paid, providing
secondary insurance coverage up to $500,000. If anyone
requests payment in advance of treatment, consider that a
red flag and immediately report it to DAN.
DAN knows that when you’re facing a medical
emergency your loved ones back home will want to hear
how you’re doing. DAN can help when you don’t have
the time or ability to provide regular updates; with your
consent we can notify family members and give them
information about your condition.
DAN’s Emergency Hotline is the cornerstone of our
service to DAN members and the entire diving community.
Whatever the situation, no matter where you are in the
world, help is just a phone call away. Call DAN.
AD
FROM THE SAFETY STOP
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P E R S P E C T I V E S
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FALL 2014
Call DAN
B Y B I L L Z I E F L E
“Connecting with DAN at the earliest possible
opportunity helps ensure you get the best
available medical care.”
STEVE EXUM
