4th February 2012

Procedure to be Used in the Event of a Diving Accident

All DAN Asia-Pacific Members should familiarise themselves with these procedures so quick action can be taken should an accident occur.

Note: Step 1 can be followed by any injured diver, not just a DAN Member.

For Diving Emergencies

Step 1 - Call a DAN- Supported Diving Emergency Hotline

These numbers are listed on your Membership Card, your Tank Sticker, in Alert Diver magazine, and here on our website.

The best number to use will depend on where the diver is and the language requirements. The preferred number of use in the Asia-Pacific Region is the DAN Diving Emergency Service (DES) Hotline as long as the diver, or someone with the diver, can speak English.

In addition to the DAN Asia-Pacific supported hotlines there is also DAN America, DAN Europe and DAN Southern Africa that can be contacted if you are within these regions as they may be more accessible.  See the table below for all these numbers.

DAN 24-Hour Emergency Hotline Numbers

DES Australia
(funded by DAN)
1800-088 200
(toll free within Australia – English Only)

+61-8-8212 9242
(from outside Australia – English Only)
DES New Zealand (funded by DAN) 0800-4DES 111
(within New Zealand – English Only)
Korean Hotline 010-4500 9113 (Korean & English)
DAN America +1-919-684 9111 (collect)
DAN Europe +39-06-4211 8685
DAN Japan +81-3-3812-4999
DAN Southern Africa 0800 020 111 (internal)
+27-10-209 8112

Purpose of This Call?

  • To obtain rapid medical advice from a doctor or medic trained in diving medicine. The doctor/medic will assess the situation and advise the immediate course of action that should be taken.
  • The doctor/medic will generally advise whether the person needs to go to a local hospital for assessment or whether an evacuation and/or treatment is required.
  • The doctor/medic usually will not make the arrangements for transportation or treatment and will not be in a position to approve for a particular facility to provide treament for a diver with DAN insurance and guarantee for DAN to cover the cost of treatment. This first call is to determine the immediate course of action.

NOTE: It is important to provide the doctor/medic with your DAN Membership details if available, and request that they contact DAN on your behalf. It is also important to have a call back number ready to give to the operator.

Calling an Emergency Medical Hotline

  • The Hotlines are generally not toll-free (except for the DES/DAN line within Australia and
    New Zealand).
  • The caller should try to ensure that he/she has ample money or a phone card with sufficient credit for the call.
  • If no money is available, or if there is difficulty in accessing the diving emergency line, a Member can make a collect call to TravelAssist (+1-919-684 3483) who would take the details and may be able to connect the caller to the diving hotline.
  • If the other options are not accessible for some reason, the Member can contact the
    DAN Asia-Pacific Office on +61-3-9886 9166 (Business Hours) or +61-3-8508 9958 (After Hours) (collect if necessary) and we will endeavour to arrange the necessary contacts.

Go to Step 2 – Call DAN AP or TravelAssist if an Evacuation and/or Treatment is Required

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