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30 | FALL 2016
DIVE SLATE
DAN PSA, EDUCATION AND TRAVEL
PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT
EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT
PREPARED
DIVER
A lthough certification and refresher
courses expose divers to the
information they need to safely
enjoy the sport, incidents still occur
every year. To identify and address the root
causes of these incidents, DAN® has created
a new, engaging and informative program:
Prepared Diver.
DAN examined multiple sources of
data within our emergency, medical and
insurance-claims networks to develop the
program’s content. Analyzing information
gathered from calls received, incidents
reviewed and claims made, DAN identified
the following five key preventable
contributing factors that commonly lead to
diver injury or death:
• disregarding limits
• improperly managing air
• overlooking proper equalization
or ear issues
• failing to manage buoyancy
• lacking control during ascent
The Prepared Diver program offers
insights into the science behind
fundamental diving skills and highlights
practices necessary for safe diving. The
video series is divided into sections that
address the root causes of dive incidents.
Each segment includes an overview of the
issue, a scientific explanation, a set of
tips and techniques and a quiz.
Although the program was designed
to complement entry-level and refresher
training courses, Prepared Diver includes
information that will be of interest and
applicable to divers of all levels of
experience and training and who believe we
have a responsibility to keep everyone safe.
Administered by dive professionals, the
Prepared Diver program will be available
via DAN’s online eLearning platform.
For more information, visit
BREATHING-GAS
CONTAMINATION
A lthough DAN® occasionally receives
reports of divers who breathed
contaminated gas, such incidents
are rare. The health effects of
breathing contaminated gas vary depending
on the contaminant, but even trace amounts
of contaminants can cause symptoms. The
most severe symptoms associated with
breathing-gas contamination are impaired
judgment and loss of consciousness, both
of which can be deadly underwater. Here’s
what you should know.
RECOGNIZING SYMPTOMS
Sources of contamination vary, but
they are generally related to impurities
from the environment (engine exhaust,
carbon dioxide, dust particles) or
byproducts of the compression process
(carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons from
compressor lubricants). Each contaminant
is associated with particular symptoms.
carbon monoxide: headache, dizziness,
weakness, nausea, vomiting, shortness
of breath, impaired judgment, confusion,
unconsciousness
carbon dioxide: hyperventilation,
dizziness, confusion, unconsciousness
volatile hydrocarbons: fatigue, headache,
confusion, impaired judgment, numbness,
cardiac arrhythmias, unconsciousness
oil (condensed): headache, nausea, lung
injury (pneumonitis), impaired respiratory
function
dust particles: impaired respiratory function
While some contaminants cause direct
harm to divers, others may cause
equipment damage that increases divers’
risk of incidents. For example, excessive
moisture can cause regulators to freeze or
malfunction,
corrosion and
oxidation of
scuba tanks,
or reduced efficiency of compressor filtration.
PREVENTING CONTAMINATION
Prevent incidents related to breathing-gas
contamination by getting your air fills
from reputable dive shops. Take personal
responsibility by conducting predive gas
checks, and refrain from diving if your
breathing gas has an unusual odor or
taste. You can check your cylinder for
carbon monoxide (CO), which is odorless,
tasteless and colorless, by using electronic
CO detectors or color-indicating devices.
If you own a compressor, keep track of its
maintenance schedules, and comply with
proper fill procedures.
CONFIRMING CONTAMINATION
To receive timely and appropriate medical
treatment, it is important to confirm
contamination, which may be difficult based
on symptoms alone. If you suspect exposure
to contaminated breathing gas, stop diving,
seek immediate medical evaluation, and
contact DAN. Notify others who were exposed
to the same source of breathing gas.
Breathing pure oxygen may be advisable,
especially if CO contamination is suspected.
DAN offers free gas analysis assistance.
If you were involved in an incident possibly
related to breathing contaminated gas
and have lawful control of the tank, keep
it closed, and contact DAN Research at +1
(919) 684-2948 or
For immediate assistance, call the DAN
Emergency Hotline at +1 (919) 684-9111.
For more information, visit
Health.
STEPHEN FRINK