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regular maintanance and cleaning — which take time and efort — give it the best chance to do so. Consistently rinsing your gear is a minor procedural step that can forestall a potentially catastrophic situation.

Manufacturers’ warranties should be considered when determining how frequently to service your gear; some manufacturers require that regulators be inspected and tuned annually to keep them under warranty. Q:

I have started taking a dietary supplement containing nitrogen to complement my muscle-building exercise program. Could it increase my risk of DCS? A:

Nitrogen is present in two primary forms: inorganic gas (N

2 ) and as part of organic amine compounds that make up amino acids — the building blocks of proteins. Organic forms of nitrogen — those ingested in food or supplements — are not absorbed into tissues as a gas and thus do not have any impact on DCS risk. Inorganic nitrogen gas inhaled under pressure is absorbed by body tissues as described by Henry’s law. With increased bottom time and depth, more gas is absorbed and the risk of DCS increases. Although it is a good idea to avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours after diving, you can be confident that your supplements will not increase your risk of DCS. Q:

I’ve heard DAN ® has a database of doctors. How do I find one near me who knows about diving and dive medicine? A:

Part of DAN’s mission is to provide expert information for the beneft of the diving public. While there are many questions we can answer on the DAN Medical Information Line (+1-919-684-2948, ext. 222), there are some that require a doctor who can examine you personally. Every day DAN medics put divers in touch with local physicians who understand dive medicine. DAN has built an active network of doctors worldwide who are interested in supporting the diving public and have expressed a willingness to provide various services to divers. Physicians in our network can evaluate one’s ftness to dive through physical exams, examine divers who have symptoms after diving and provide consultations to divers and other physicians when there are questions about dive medicine.

In addition to dive medicine, all the physicians in our network practice in their respective specialties. Additional expertise within our network includes emergency medicine, otolaryngology (ENT), cardiology, psychiatry and many other specialties. DAN referral physicians have undergone additional training in dive medicine to include board certification, fellowship training or continuing medical education. When a DAN referral physician is not available in a convenient location, DAN medics can speak directly to the caller’s personal physician or put that doctor in direct consultation with another physician trained in dive medicine.

In the event of an emergency or possible symptoms of DCI, activate local emergency services or arrange for safe transport to the nearest emergency medical department. DAN can assist with coordination of care and evacuation, and medics are available 24/7/365 for consultation and interface with treating physicians. AD

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RESEARCH, EDUCATION & MEDICINE // F R O M T H E M E D I C A L L I N E

ASK US!

The DAN Medical Information Line is here to answer all your dive-related medical questions. You can reach the medical staff during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET) by calling +1-919-684-2948 , ext. 222. You can also submit an email at www.DAN.org.