Something wrong after a dive? Call 911 first

Then call DAN, the Divers Alert Network. Their dive medicine team answers 24 hours a day and can help find a recompression chamber.

Life-threatening911Ambulance, police, fire DAN emergency hotline · 24 h+1-919-684-9111Dive medicine advice and help finding a chamber. Call collect if you need to. U.S. Coast Guard, San Juan · 24 h833-453-1267At sea: VHF channel 16

What to do

Get help. Call 911 for anything life-threatening. At sea, call the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16.
Give 100% oxygen if you have it and you’re trained to use it. Keep going until help arrives, even if the diver feels better.
Keep the diver lying down, still and comfortable. If they’re awake and can swallow, give them water to drink.
Call DAN at +1-919-684-9111. They’ll talk to you and to the doctors, and help arrange recompression if it’s needed. You don’t have to be a DAN member.
Keep the dive computer with the diver, and write down the dives: depths, times, gas and when symptoms started. Doctors will ask.
Don’t fly, and don’t get back in the water to “treat” symptoms.

Warning signs

Decompression sickness usually shows up within minutes to hours after a dive, and sometimes later, even after a flight. Get help if a diver has:

Joint or limb pain
Numbness, tingling or weakness
Unusual tiredness
Dizziness, confusion or trouble speaking
Shortness of breath or chest pain
An itchy or blotchy rash
Trouble walking or keeping balance

Don’t wait to see if it goes away. Early treatment works best.

Before it happens

Dive insurance

PR Dive is a DAN Business Member. A recompression treatment or medical evacuation can cost thousands of dollars. Dive accident insurance, such as DAN’s, can help cover these costs, up to your plan’s limits. If you join through our link, PR Dive may earn a credit, at no extra cost to you.

Join DAN

Save the numbers

Put 911, DAN and the Coast Guard in your phone before your trip. Tell your buddy where your insurance card is.

Learn to help

The Rescue Diver and Emergency First Response courses teach you to spot trouble early and handle it.

Training

On our boat we carry emergency oxygen, first aid, two fixed marine radios and a handheld. This page is general safety information, not medical advice. Sources: DAN, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan.