Diver Alert Network South East Asia / Pacific (DAN SEAP)

DAN SEAP is a non-proIit saIety organisation working Ior the saIety oI all divers through
education, training, the provision oI evacuation and insurance services, and research. As a non-
proIit organisation, any excess revenue is directed towards improving dive saIety in this region.
DAN SEAP is part oI an international network oI DAN dive saIety organisations with a
worldwide membership exceeding 200,000.
All divers are strongly advised to undergo training in resuscitation and oxygen provision. The
skills developed are extremely valuable, not only in the diving environment, but in all walks oI
liIe. CDHB Hyperbaric Medicine Unit is the South Island centre Ior DAN-SEAP and suppliers
oI their range oI products. (hyperbaric.medicinecdhb.govt.nz) or Ph. 03 364 1521
beginoItheskypehighlighting 03 364 1521 endoItheskypehighlighting or Fax
03 364 1520

DAN oIIers the world's most popular oxygen Iirst aid programme. Until DAN developed its
oxygen training program and line oI oxygen equipment, many injured divers did not beneIit Irom
the use oI emergency oxygen.

Oxygen training is available through several Iirst aid training agencies. However, most oI these
courses are not diver-orientated and / or as well supported with experience, materials and
equipment.

DAN has developed an oxygen provider program to provide divers with this important training
and this is now the Iastest growing and most respected oxygen programme Ior divers, worldwide.
DAN SEAP has also introduced additional programmes to train people to provide oxygen to ill
and injured persons in the general community. These are suitable Ior Iirst aiders Irom a variety oI
community groups.
DAN Oxygen Provider Course
This programme is suitable Ior people oI all levels, Irom novice to instructor. It consists oI a 4-
hour oxygen provider module, supported by an additional 4 hour resuscitation module, where
required, and several extension modules Ior those who require Iurther training.

Most injured divers are breathing and require supplemental oxygen. The Oxygen Provider
Module is designed to teach the skills needed to perIorm this task saIely and eIIectively. Topics
covered include diving accident recognition, the beneIits oI oxygen provision, precautions and
saIety procedures, and oxygen provision to both conscious and unconscious casualties.
Participants are certiIied in the use oI the DAN Oxygen Unit, or an equivalent system.

The Resuscitation Module is also a 4-hour program. Participants are trained in the management
oI the unconscious victim, expired air resuscitation (EAR) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR).

In Australia and New Zealand, the Resuscitation Module (or equivalent resuscitation training) is
a pre-requisite Ior the Oxygen Provider Module. However, this is not the case in certain other
countries.

Although DAN SEAP believes that DAN-style units IulIil the needs oI most dive proIessionals,
it has developed extension modules to train people in the use oI more advanced oxygen
equipment Ior those who have a speciIic need or desire Ior such training. Extension modules
include MTV-100, Bag-Valve-Mask and Closed Circuit Oxygen Resuscitator training.

DAN also provides instructor training to suitable people who wish to teach the DAN Oxygen
Provider Programme. DAN Instructors, who are generally qualiIied scuba diving instructors (or
equivalent), have all participated in an extensive training programme, oIten under the close
scrutiny oI an experienced diving medical specialist. No other training organisation routinely
provides such direct and intensive medical input and supervision in its instructor training
programme. For inIormation on course dates, venues and instructors in your region, please
contact CDHB HMU at hyperbaric.medicinecdhb.govt.nz~.
%OP OF PAGE
Articles
Summer Safety Reminders
This summer is upon us, and many oI us are itching to get back into the water. We should take a
Iew minutes to review the saIety training we did during our SCUBA training courses. This
includes:
O Diving Equipment checks
O Emergency Equipment checks
O Emergency Procedures
Some areas to review are:
Predisposition to Decompression Illness
O Fitness to dive.
O Alcohol and / or lack oI sleep.
O Multiple ascents
O Multiple days diving
O 4 deep dives
O Diving at altitude
O Exertion during diving.
O Cold water.
O High CO
2
levels.
O Exercise aIter diving
O Hot showers aIter diving.
O Flying or driving to altitude aIter diving
Avoiding DCI
O Appropriate training
O Avoid the previous list iI you can
O Plan your diving day
O Revise computer use / backup tables
Planning a dive
O Depth
O Duration
O SurIace intervals.
O Decompression requirements and appropriate saIety margins.
O Current and state oI tide.
O Exit point.
First Aid for DCI
O ABC - Airway; Breathing; Circulation
O Patient a. Ilat on back (conscious )
b. Recovery position (unconscious).
O High Ilow oxygen 15 lpm
(Hudson mask does not provide 100.)
O Call Ior assistance (DES) 0800 4 DES 111 or 09 445 8454
beginoItheskypehighlighting 09 445 8454 endoItheskypehighlighting,
these are toll Iree. The Diver Emergency Service will advise you as to where and how to
seek medical assistance.
O Consider risk oI DCI in dive buddies iI dive proIile similar.
O Watch careIully. They can get worse!
Diving First Aid 10 Commandments
1. SaIety oI Rescuer(s)
2. Basic LiIe Support
3. Posture
4. Oxygen
5. Rest and protect
6. Observe and record
7. Consult
8. SpeciIic Care
9. Evacuate as indicated
10.Secure diving equipment
Information for DES ( 0800 4 DES 111 or 09 445 8454
begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 09 445 8454 end_of_the_skype_highlighting)
O our name
O Name oI the patient
O The telephone number you are at.
O ou will be asked to remain at that number until you are rung back by the duty diving
doctor. (this should not be more than 5 mins)
Please bring to the hospital
O Any record oI the diving
ie. Log book, dive recorder or computer, this should include all diving within the
previous seven days.
O Medical history and current medications
O Remember to secure any equipment used to aid in investigating the cause oI the problem.
Evacuation
O There are Iew dive areas in the South Island Irom which road evacuation can be
accomplished below 300m.
O Road transport is adequate iI quicker or nearly as quick as air transport.
O eep patient below 300m altitude or cabin pressure.
O Direct transIer Irom dive site to Christchurch Hospital is preIerable iI patient stable.
O Helicopter has limited range so will oIten transIer patient to Iixed-wing via base hospital.
SaIe Diving !