DAN E-Newsletter
Welcome to 2008! We hope you enjoyed a wonderful holiday period and have some great diving plans in place for the year ahead.
We wish you a
successful and safe 2008.
Much of Issue 4 is dedicated to one members DCI encounter while diving the Coolidge in Vanuatu and the events that ensued. It is a gripping story that raises a number of issues that will allow us all to become safer divers. Narelle’s story and others like it really is largely what Deeper with DAN is about. We want to share the stories of your fellow members so that we can all learn from the experience of others and become better safer divers. Take these stories and share them with your dive buddies and highlight to them the importance of being prepared for accidents if they happen and having DAN Membership/Insurance. It really is worth it for the peace of mind! In addition, Michael gives us an insight in to Bali and Nicole shares her adventures in the Marshall Islands. As you will see plans don’t always work out as expected! Enjoy the issue and, as always, please write to us with your comments, stories and suggestions.
Until next issue, safe diving, John Lippmann, Mel Cefai and the rest of the DAN Asia-Pacific Team.
Short & Sweet!
DAN at ADEX 2008
ADEX will be taking place from the 18-20 April in Singapore. In addition to exhibiting, DAN AP will be offering a free Dive Safety Seminar for visitors on the Sunday from 4-6pm. The seminar will cover Diver Rescue - Is Rescue Breathing Important? as well as DCI in Singapore.
DAN AP is also conducting the following courses at ADEX:
- DAN Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Provider
- DAN On-Site Neurological Assessment for Divers Provider
- DAN Oxygen Instructor (Level 1) Course / Update
- DAN Diving Medicine & Resuscitation Course
CLICK HERE For Additional Information & The Course Registration Form
CLICK HERE To Read The Latest ADEX News
CLICK HERE To Visit The Official Asia Dive Expo Website
We look forward to seeing you there!
*****
Position Vacancies
In-House Researcher
DAN Asia-Pacific (Ashburton, Victoria) is seeking a full-time In-House Researcher. The role will involve management of the DAN AP dive fatalities database and Project Dive Exploration, data collection from regional chambers, and work on various other DAN research projects. The ideal person would also be capable of conducting high-level DAN training courses.
CLICK HERE For The Full Position Description & Application Details
Access Wiz
DAN Asia-Pacific is also seeking the services of an expert in Microsoft Access to assist us with the development of projects on an ad hoc basis. If you have such skills and reside within Victoria we would like to hear from you. Please send an email to marketing@danasiapacific.org.
Medical Position at Christchurch Hospital
Christchurch Hospital (NZ) has a Medical Position available at their Hyperbaric Medicine Unit. It is a 0.4 FTE Medical Position and will be combined with either Anaesthesia or Emergency Medicine sessions to create a full-time Specialist position.
CLICK HERE For More Information
****Thank you from DAN Member
DAN Instructor, Steven (Thailand) recently sent us the following email.
My girlfriend and I are DAN members, and I have been so for more than 5 years. Fortunately, I have never had to call upon your services for diving emergencies. However, just a few days ago, my girlfriend was referred to a recompression chamber for a check. I would like to thank John Lippmann and the staff at the Chamber here in Phuket (SSS Dr. Luba) for a very attentive and caring service. I hope that your support and professional services will continue to be here for all professionals. Thank you once again.
Follow-up from Issue 3 Article: Don’t Wait, Don’t Assume, Act Immediately!
This article highlighted the importance of taking immediate action should a diver find themselves in trouble as well as carrying a SMB and other devices that could aid in a divers rescue. We received an email from Peter Buzzacott with additional advice:
In addition to carrying a signal tube (or safety sausage) I carry a small CD, the really small size like some people give as business cards, which I can use as a signal mirror. Simply hold the CD up to your eye and look through the hole in the centre, extend your other arm in front of you with your thumb sticking up, and line up your thumb with the dive boat. So... now you have the CD to your eye looking through the hole in the centre, and with your other arm you give the boat the thumbs-up signal. Next, wiggle the CD about until you see it flash on your thumb-nail. When you see that ... it is also flashing the boat. The CD and signal tube go in a little pouch, which is attached to my tank-strap, so it goes with me every dive. I also carry at least a small wreck reel, but usually an explorer reel. I use it for navigation, towing a flag etc, but I carry one anyway, regardless if I'm just having fun. One time I came across a guy who had lost his weightbelt, who was upside down and hanging onto a shipwreck, I gave him my weightbelt and tied the line to the wreck and slowly unreeled myself to the surface. Your article about carrying signal tubes is good, but a reel would also be very useful if anyone finds themself stuck in a one-knot current. Simply tie both your weightbelts together and lower them down like an anchor, then clip it to your BCD and then put up the signal tube and wait. Keep up the good work.
Ed. Thank you, Peter!
My DCI Encounter
DAN AP Member, Narelle, recalls her DCI experience one year after her encounter with DCI while on holiday in Vanuatu. Narelle's story is a must read for all divers & raises important issues that all Member's should be aware of.
CLICK HERE To Read Narelle's
Full DCI Encounter
Image Right:
This picture was taken during Narelle's first dive after recovering from DCI in August 2007. It was at a wreck in Gizo called Tao Maru.
Do You Have the Right Coverage?
Narelle’s story raises an important issue that all Members must take the time to consider. Do you have the correct coverage for the diving you are looking to undertake; not just for an upcoming dive trip but also for the diving you may undertake throughout the duration of your 12-month Membership/Insurance period? This is a very important question.
DAN Asia-Pacific offers Members three levels of dive injury treatment insurance plans (in addition to your Membership) for this very reason. So CLICK HERE to learn more about each of the three plans and when you renew your membership be sure to take out the level of protection that will meet your specific needs for the year. It really is worth it for the peace of mind. If you have any questions give the DAN Asia-Pacific team a call on +61-3-9886 9166 or email: info@danasiapacific.org.
My Favourite Dive
My dive buddy and our wife's went to Niue for a weeks diving and swimming in July 2007. On our second day of diving we again saw whales and we were just above one. This majestic creature was singing and as we snorkelled over him about 10m below us, our bodies resinated to the vibrations he was sending out. Later we swam over a mother and yearling. These dives made my diving life complete. My video did not come out the best due to sunlight and an amateur at the control, but the audio was recorded and it makes me tingle every time I play the DVD of this dive. Bill Skelton.
Misadventures in the South Pacific
Nicole Simmons’ Tale From Majuro.
It seemed like such a good idea at the time – fly from Sydney to the Marshall Islands to meet a dive buddy friend who I used to dive with in New York for a once in a lifetime trip to dive the infamous Bikini Atoll. How hard could that be??
CLICK HERE to read Nicole’s full story about a dive trip that started off so promising, suffered some major disappointments but ended on a surprising high. Nicole provides an honest review of Majuro in the Marshall Islands. For anyone considering a trip to the Region you will value this information. For everyone else, Nicole’s review is a great read.
My Favourite Dive Destination: Bali
DAN Member Michael Yorke is a regular visitor to Bali and can’t rave enough about the diving, people, food and the region in general. After reading Michael’s diving review you’ll definitely be tempted to plan your own Bali adventure!
CLICK HERE For An Insight Into Bali's Breathtaking Diving
Dive Equipment & Marketing Action Fair, Taipei 2008 (DEM)
The DEM Fair, Taipei 2008 is set to become the biggest Asian Region Dive Event for the diving and water sport industry looking to explore new products and innovations. The event is set to bring together the very best in the dive industry from the 9-11 May 2008 at the Taipei World Trade Center (Taiwan).
CLICK HERE For The Latest Taiwan Dive Show Ad
CLICK HERE To Visit The DEM Website
We hope you enjoyed Issue 4 of Deeper with DAN. Drop us a line if you have any comments or would like to contribute to Issue 5. Email Mel at marketing@danasiapacific.org. Safe Diving from the DAN Asia-Pacific Team
Please note you are receiving this email as you are an existing or were a past member of DAN AP. If you do not want to receive any emails of a similar nature please send an email to marketing@danasiapacific.org and you will immediately be removed from any future contacts.