Celebrating - Divers Alert Network

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TRAINING, EDUCATION AND CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (CME) ZERO LOCATION: PAPUA NEW GUINEA 09/10 PROGRESS REPORT DEPTH 60 TAKING OUR TRAINING AND INSIGHTS DEEPER. Our goal is to extend DAN’s laboratory/medical learning out into the field where it can change behavior and keep divers out of trouble. Translating clinical understanding into real-world action is a challenge across the medical field — and dive medicine is no exception. As any medical professional knows, it is a long road from clinical discoveries to changes in how individuals act on a day-to-day basis. DAN’s education efforts aim to continue closing the gap between what we learn in the laboratory and safer dive practices in the water. NEW COURSES ON THE WAY DAN has named a new CME coordinator and is currently reviewing all existing courses to ensure that each delivers information that is important to divers. We’re also updating and consolidating our current course listing to eliminate duplication and ensure a broad range of the most relevant subject matter available. We are also taking steps to produce all materials in trilingual versions (i.e., English, Spanish and Portuguese). ASCEND We’ve made significant progress in developing a third course offering in the Dive Medicine for <strong>Divers</strong> series. This popular series was created to give divers access to advanced information on diving medicine. We found that in addition to being told how to handle specific medical challenges, many divers wanted to know more – especially about physiology and how diving affects the human body. Although still aimed at lay people, the course provides additional information on topics such as gas toxicity and DCI.
TRAINING, EDUCATION AND CME CONTINUED A “refresher” course has been created for Diver Medical Technicians (DMTs) to ensure compliance with the new certification guidelines. DMTs who already have sufficient training are finding the course useful for meeting continuing medical education guidelines. DMTs will continue to be a top priority for DAN because they are a critical on-site resource when a qualified hyperbaric physician is not immediately available. DMTs also help by stabilizing injured divers and keeping accurate records, such as neurological assessments in the field. 09/10 PROGRESS REPORT In response to strong member interest, we have created the Basic Life Support and First Aid program. This is life-saving information with which every diver should be familiar. DAN has made significant progress in upgrading education in hyperbaric medicine. We’ve recently signed a long-term agreement that will allow DAN to conduct training at Bluestone Dive Resort in Thomasville, a terrific facility that includes not only a deep-water quarry but an on-site hyperbaric chamber. The Bluestone chamber is typical of what divers can expect to encounter. We think this “real world” setting is an ideal place for hands-on training in hyperbaric medicine. DAN wishes to thank Bluestone and other dive quarries across our service area for supporting our educational efforts. HARVESTING DIVERS PROJECT DAN’s work with the Miskito Indians and the Harvesting <strong>Divers</strong> Project aims to benefit these workingdivers—who suffer from extremely serious forms of decompression sickness at remarkably high rates— and the science of dive medicine. The data we are gathering from this project will teach us a great deal about the treatment of severe DCI and the impact of treatment delays. DEPTH 53 The story of Dr. Elmer Mejia—the only doctor providing local treatment to the Miskito divers—is also a moving tale of dedication amid difficult conditions and limited resources. National Geographic has taken an interest in the story and may help to publicize the efforts of this devoted doctor. DAN’s efforts on this front include working with divers off Isla Natividad and Northeast Brazil. MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS To help boost DAN’s profile, we stepped up our presence at dive events with a clinical focus. This includes the Advanced Hyperbaric Symposium in Columbia, SC, presided over by Dick Clarke, and a more active role in the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS). WHAT’S NEXT? Developing a course on advanced accident management techniques that will help EMTs better understand how to get people out of the water and best-practices while awaiting medical transport. Attendance at emergency and family medicine conferences to expand our referral network and provide better health services to the diving community. TUBASTREA ASCEND LOCATION: BONAIRE, NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
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Celebrating - Divers Alert Network

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