D
AN® faces many challenges when trying to help
an injured diver deal with a suspected case of
decompression illness, not the least of which is
access to a suitable hyperbaric facility. In many
of the more remote locations where divers travel, access to
hyperbaric care is often limited. This may lead to expensive
medical evacuations, delayed treatment and, in some cases,
suboptimal outcomes for divers in need.
Even in places where chambers exist, injured divers may
not receive the level of care they require because of factors
such as the absence of ancillary medical support, limited
diagnostic capabilities and physicians’ lack of access to
consultation with medical colleagues. Furthermore, remote
facilities often have limited opportunities for continuing
medical education for physicians and chamber support
personnel. Challenges that some chambers face include a
lack of financial support, language barriers and no backup
personnel to treat patients when the regular staff is away for
training or on holiday. Inadequate care often is not the fault of
the chamber owner or operator but a consequence of the lack
of access to the resources needed to provide a higher level of
medical care.
Over the years, DAN has worked with numerous chambers
to address these problems. Through initiatives such as DAN’s
Recompression Chamber Assistance Program (RCAP),
various forms of assistance have been provided to hyperbaric
facilities around the world. This assistance includes on-site
and off-site training of chamber personnel, sponsored
educational opportunities for physicians, periodic technical
and operational risk assessments and donation of replacement
parts. This support has allowed many chambers to remain
open that might otherwise have closed.
But DAN can do more. Starting this month, chambers
can apply to be part of DAN’s new Recompression Chamber
Network (RCN). This unique program serves multiple
purposes and offers several significant benefits to divers,
including:
• expanded availability of treatment facilities
• better operational readiness and higher quality medical care
at remote facilities
• support for facilities that offer affordable and reasonable
treatment options
The RCN is a comprehensive support platform that
includes technical, safety, medical and operational assistance
to chambers within the network. Participating chambers will
enjoy significant benefits from DAN, including:
• 24/7 real-time consultations with DAN physicians and other
doctors who provide support for DAN’s emergency hotline
• chamber assistance, including risk assessment, financial
support (where needed) and on-site and off-site training
such as courses for chamber attendants and operators and
chamber maintenance
• expert consultation using the “Ask the Experts” program
offered through National Baromedical Services
• access to the latest scientific papers in diving and dive-
medical research
• access to DAN’s Medical Services Call Center, a state-of-
the-art electronic medical record and the tool DAN Medical
Services uses to document and manage dive injuries
• designation as a “DAN Preferred Provider Partner,” with
expedited payment protocols and a new e-claims process
that is currently in development
• priority access to the DAN RCAP
The RCN program became operational Nov. 1, 2013, with
35 charter members. Divers will find RCN chambers in such
diverse locations as the Galapagos, Cozumel, Vanuatu, the
Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam, Palau, Yap, Fiji
and Chuuk at present, and more partner chambers are joining
the network all the time.
DAN is working diligently to ensure your favorite dive
destination is served by a member of the RCN. A sign that
reads “DAN Preferred Provider Partner” indicates quality
care and represents our guarantee that your donations and
membership dollars are being used to support that facility.
AD
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FALL 2013
FROM THE SAFETY STOP
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P E R S P E C T I V E S
DAN’s Recompression Chamber
Network
B y B i l l Z i e f l e
STEVE EXUM
