Dan Europe News

News_Nuovo Corso DAN: Istruttore Addetto alla Prevenzione Incendi

Erik Solla — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:15:00 GMT

Nuovo Corso DAN: Istruttore Addetto alla Prevenzione Incendi

DAN Europe Training è orgoglioso di presentare il nuovo Corso Istruttore Addetto alla Prevenzione Incendi, Lotta Antincendio e Gestione delle Emergenze, ideato per preparare tutti coloro che intendono acquisire le conoscenze tecniche e comunicative per la formazione degli Addetti Antincendio (Rischio Medio).

Il percorso formativo, oltre a fornire le necessarie conoscenze teoriche e pratiche su come si sviluppa e si controlla un incendio, sulle attrezzature antincendio, sulle norme di comportamento e di primo intervento, su come attuare il piano di emergenza aziendale e collaborare con i Vigili del Fuoco, vuole aggiungere le capacità formative e comunicative adeguate alla divulgazione delle nozioni acquisite.   

Partecipa ai prossimi corsi in programma
Scopri tutti i programmi formativi offerti da DAN Europe Training

News_Incidenti subacquei e necessità di informazioni attendibili

Erik Solla — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 10:15:00 GMT

Incidenti subacquei e necessità di informazioni attendibili

Per diffusione immediata

Milano, 12 agosto 2014 - L' A.Di.SUB (Associazione Didattiche Subacquee) segue con attenzione e partecipazione emotiva le notizie relative ai recenti incidenti subacquei avvenuti al largo delle coste italiane. Siamo innanzitutto subacquei, e l'apprendere della morte di persone che come noi condividono la passione per il mare e le immersioni ci tocca nel profondo.

Per rendere un servizio alla comunità subacquea, che in queste ore si interroga ed è alla ricerca di risposte, riteniamo fondamentale che venga fatta un'informazione precisa e puntuale su quanto concerne l'attività subacquea, in relazione ai casi citati. Purtroppo, questo non è avvenuto e non sta avvenendo in queste ore, se è vero che persino testate nazionali riportano informazioni errate. A titolo di esempio, si è confuso il Nitrox, una miscela composta da ossigeno ed azoto, con "Mitrox"; si è parlato di "Primax" per intendere Trimix, altra miscela respiratoria. Si è parlato di "brevetti facili", mentre è noto che i programmi dei corsi subacquei sono da anni regolamentati da standard di qualità emanati dall' Organizzazione internazionale per la normazione (ISO). E' quindi importante, quando si decide di partecipare ad un corso sub, verificare che l'organizzazione didattica alla quale appartiene l'istruttore/scuola sia in possesso di un certificato di conformità agli standard di qualità ISO.

Il mondo delle immersioni è altamente specializzato: ha dei principi educativi stabiliti, delle regole di sicurezza certe, persino un suo linguaggio. Non si può lasciare spazio ad opinioni improvvisate, garantendo visibilità a persone di scarsa professionalità. Occorre, in casi così delicati e che toccano la vita delle persone, nonché la continuazione di un intero settore, fare affidamento su fonti certe: organismi riconosciuti e professionisti del settore.

A.Di.SUB invita pertanto le testate giornalistiche a fare riferimento alle didattiche riconosciute (IDEA, PADI, SSI) ed a DAN Europe, Fondazione no-profit dedita alla salvaguardia della vita umana in mare, per informazioni certe, attendibili e specializzate.

Occorre infine precisare che la subacquea rimane uno sport sicuro. I dati International DAN parlano di una bassa incidenza di infortuni (0,006% / immersione) e di mortalità (3 x 100.000). Naturalmente, occorre che i subacquei siano fisicamente idonei alla pratica stessa, oltre che ben preparati a non superare i limiti del proprio brevetto e soprattutto della propria esperienza.

Vi ringraziamo per l'attenzione che vorrete dedicare al nostro comunicato.

Gaetano Occhiuzzi
Presidente A.Di.SUB
segreteria@adisub.org

Le attività ADISUB

A.Di.SUB (Associazione Didattiche Subacquee) è l'organismo che riunisce le maggiori organizzazioni didattiche subacquee attive in Italia e aderenti a RSTC Europe (Recreational Scuba Training Council Europe). I membri dell'associazione sono IDEA, PADI, SSI, agenzie didattiche affermate, che ogni anno addestrano circa il 70% dei subacquei italiani. All'associazione aderisce anche DAN Europe, organizzazione internazionale di riferimento per la salute e la sicurezza dei subacquei.

Oltre che a supportare e rappresentare le organizzazioni didattiche subacquee, ADISUB promuove l'attività subacquea con finalità educative e mira ad incrementare la qualità dell'insegnamento impartito e dei servizi offerti ai subacquei.

www.adisub.org

In relazione al comunicato ADISUB, riceviamo e pubblichiamo la nota di Lorenzo Cervellin, Presidente ASSOSUB:

Venezia, 22 Agosto 2014 - In riferimento al comunicato del 12 Agosto della spett.le ADISUB, ai fini di una corretta informazione, Assosub, Associazione di Produttori e di Operatori della Subacquea, pur condividendo gran parte dei contenuti espressi dal Dott. Occhiuzzi, ritiene doveroso un intervento di puntualizzazione riferito all'invito rivolto da ADISUB alle testate giornalistiche : ..."a far riferimento alle didattiche riconosciute (IDEA, PADI, SSI) per informazioni certe, attendibili e specializzate"...
Nella pur vera e legittima opinione del Dott. Occhiuzzi, che le Organizzazioni didattiche da lui rappresentate e citate godano di tutti i requisiti di qualità e di certificazione, ciò che non corrisponde al vero, e che potrebbe essere mal interpretato per come esposto, è che le suddette Organizzazioni didattiche siano le uniche "riconosciute".
Non volendo innescare alcuna polemica sulla titolarità dei cosidetti "riconoscimenti", facciamo semplicemente notare la presenza sul territorio di altre Organizzazioni didattiche e di Federazioni nazionali ed internazionali che, pur non aderendo ad ADISUB, hanno i medesimi requisiti, standard di qualità e relative certificazioni europee che consentono loro la piena e legittima operatività e affidabilità sul territorio nazionale ed internazionale.
Esistono anche Associazioni che hanno lo scopo di consorziare gli operatori del settore per promuovere e tutelare gli interessi degli stessi; ASSOSUB è tra queste e tra i propri associati annovera molte Organizzazioni didattiche, comprese alcune di quelle citate dal Dott. Occhiuzzi di ADISUB.
Altre Organizzazioni didattiche invece, pur nel pieno rispetto delle norme e dei requisiti di qualità riconosciuti dagli standard di certificazione europea, non aderiscono ad ADISUB e nemmeno ad ASSOSUB; il che non significa che non siano "riconosciute" o che siano Organizzazioni con programmi didattici di qualità inferiore rispetto a quelle che appartengono nella fattispecie ad ADISUB o ASSOSUB. Semplicemente tali Organizzazioni non hanno ritenuto interessante, per ragioni proprie ed insindacabili, aderire ad una Associazione di categoria, qualsiasi essa sia.
ASSOSUB ritiene che nessuna Associazione di categoria, fino a prova contraria, possa rivendicare la titolarità di un "riconoscimento" a terzi.

Riguardo alla necessità di informazioni attendibili ed alla sicurezza dell’attività subacquea: come non essere d’accordo ?!
Riteniamo tuttavia che questi traguardi siano più facilmente raggiungibili e migliorabili cercando l’unione, piuttosto che creando divisioni e/o barriere.

Lorenzo Cervellin
Presidente ASSOSUB
info@assosub.net

Riceviamo e pubblichiamo, qui di seguito, la controreplica del Presidente A.Di.SUB, Gaetano Occhiuzzi

Milano, 2 settembre 2014 - In riferimento al comunicato del Presidente di ASSOSUB, senza alcun fine polemico ma a puro titolo di chiarimento, devo ricordare che nel mese di agosto, purtroppo, sono morti dei subacquei e come al solito i mass media hanno cominciato un bombardamento mediatico fatto di luoghi comuni e disinformazione. Sono apparsi articoli su testate di rilevanza nazionale pieni di citazioni assurde, addirittura c’era qualche giornalista che trasformandosi in istruttore sub voleva spiegare al grande pubblico come evitare l’embolia.
A questo punto era necessaria una reazione immediata e come ADISUB abbiamo predisposto e diffuso un comunicato, invitando i mass media a contattare le organizzazioni didattiche e scientifiche del settore sub riconosciute per ottenere informazioni attendibili.
Come ben sa il presidente di ASSOSUB, quando un’associazione di settore emette comunicati ufficiali può parlare solo a nome dei propri membri, non altre organizzazioni, che potrebbero anche risentirsi dall’essere state chiamate in causa da chi non aveva titolo a rappresentarle. Di conseguenza noi abbiamo potuto citare solo i membri di ADISUB, che sono DAN, IDEA, PADI, SSI e che hanno tutti i riconoscimenti possibili in Italia ed all’estero.
Che queste organizzazioni non fossero le uniche presenti in Italia era facilmente intuibile leggendo più avanti la breve presentazione di ADISUB, dove viene precisato che questa associazione “riunisce le maggiori organizzazioni didattiche subacquee attive in Italia e aderenti a RSTC Europe”. Le maggiori, non tutte, quindi che ce ne siano altre è fuori discussione.
Noi speravamo che il nostro comunicato incentivasse queste altre organizzazioni, singolarmente o tramite le proprie associazioni di settore, a richiamare i mass media ad una corretta informazione, mentre come spesso accade in Italia è stato letto ciò che non era scritto ed è iniziata una polemica senza senso. In pratica ci è stato contestato di non aver citato nel comunicato chi ADISUB non aveva alcun titolo a rappresentare!
In conclusione, in futuro ci auguriamo che vengano messe da parte inutili polemiche, che non venga puntualmente contestato l’operato di chi fa qualcosa nel mondo della subacquea e che tutti gli operatori del settore si impegnino nel diffondere il messaggio che l’attività subacquea, praticata da persone addestrate ed in buona salute, è un’attività sicurissima e che gli incidenti sono una percentuale irrisoria in rapporto al numero dei praticanti.

Gaetano Occhiuzzi
Presidente A.Di.SUB

News_Incidenti sub: 10 regole d'oro per evitarli

Erik Solla — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 10:00:00 GMT

Incidenti sub: 10 regole d'oro per evitarli

Roseto degli Abruzzi, 12 agosto 2014 - La nuova campagna di sensibilizzazione e sicurezza, promossa dalla Fondazione DAN Europe, si rivolge all'intera comunità subacquea, in particolar modo ai sub ricreativi, la maggior parte di coloro che s'immergono nelle splendide acque del nostro Paese.

L'attività subacquea può considerarsi sicura, anche se messa a confronto con un gran numero di sport "di massa". Naturalmente, per evitare problemi, è necessario rispettare una serie di regole precise e di buon senso. Gli incidenti subacquei possono accadere e possono causare tristezza e sgomento in tutta la comunità subacquea. Tuttavia, crediamo che si possa fare molto per creare una sempre maggiore consapevolezza e ridurre il numero degli incidenti gravi.

A questo proposito, abbiamo sviluppato una serie di vignette che aiutano a ricordare le regole da seguire quando si fa immersione ricreativa. Ti chiediamo di partecipare attivamente a questa campagna:

Scaricando la locandina in italiano. Puoi stamparla oppure diffonderla con facilità sul web
Partecipando alla campagna sulla pagina italiana del DAN su Facebook
Seguendoci su Twitter con #10RegoleSicurezza

Parlane con i tuoi compagni d'immersione, nel tuo diving center o nella tua scuola sub.

Scarica la locandinaCi auguriamo che sosterrai questa importante campagna di sicurezza!

Cristian Pellegrini
Head of Marketing and Communications
DAN Europe Foundation

Prof. Alessandro Marroni to be awarded the 2014 Golden Trident and Academy Award

Erik Solla — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 10:00:00 GMT

Prof. Alessandro Marroni to be awarded the 2014 Golden Trident and Academy Award

The International Academy of Underwater Sciences and Tecniques has recently announced that Prof. Marroni, President and Founder of DAN Europe, will be honoured with the 2014 Golden Trident award. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Italy.

Along with awarding the annual Golden Tridents, the Academy’s goal is to foster the development and knowledge of underwater activities (in the fields of science, technology, arts, culture, education and sport) and to promote the culture of the marine world in an interdisciplinary context.

DAN Europe congratulates Prof. Marroni on this esteemed and prestigious achievement.

Due giorni di test scientifici a Y-40, la piscina più profonda al mondo

Laura Volpe — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 14:44:00 GMT

Due giorni di test scientifici a Y-40, la piscina più profonda al mondo

Il 3 e 4 giugno 2014 i ricercatori del progetto CADDY e del DAN DSL (Diving Safety Laboratory) si sono incontrati a Y-40, la nuova piscina subacquea inaugurata recentemente a Padova, per effettuare una serie di test scientifici in un ambiente dalle innovative caratteristiche strutturali e tecnologiche. L'acqua termale che riempie la piscina consente test prolungati nel tempo e, grazie alla particolare architettura (ponte sommerso trasparente e grandi finestre subacquee), la struttura permette un agevole monitoraggio dei subacquei in immersione durante i test.

CADDY: il compagno d'immersione robotizzato
CADDY è un progetto collaborativo di ricerca finanziato dalla Comunità Europea, che vede coinvolti DAN Europe ed altre istituzioni ed università europee. L'obiettivo del progetto è la realizzazione di un robot subacqueo e di superficie autonomo, in grado di capire la persona e interagire con lei, diventando uno strumento utile e che promuove sicurezza.
Sito web del progetto: www.caddy-fp7.eu
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=86bTzi3Rbzo

Ricerca medica in ambito subacqueo: il laboratorio mobile del DAN
I ricercatori e volontari del DAN DSL (Diving Safety Laboratory) hanno condotto test pre e post immersione (impedenziometria, densità urinaria, eco cardiografia e doppler) con l'obiettivo di raccogliere dati utili a rendere le immersioni sempre più sicure.
Per maggiori informazioni: www.daneurope.org/diving-medical-research
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrHrbUs08dA

Y-40 è la nuova piscina subacquea, inaugurata il 5 giugno 2014 a Montegrotto Terme (PD). Con i suoi 40 metri, Y-40 è attualmente la piscina più profonda al mondo ed è usata da DAN Research per i suoi test di ricerca scientifica.

News_New online seminar: Inert gas exchange

Erik Solla — Sat, 10 May 2014 14:44:00 GMT

New online seminar: Inert gas exchange, bubbles and decompression theory

DAN is making its mission possible to spread diving safety knowledge by allowing all divers to participate in specialised online seminars, developed by dive medical professionals. After the launch of the first seminar "Ears and Diving", a second seminar is now available on "inert gas exchange, bubbles and decompression theory". New seminars will progressively be made available.

All divers face the possibility of decompression sickness (DCS), however slight the probability might be. It is curious how such a potentially devastating injury could be related to the mysterious workings of biology, but understanding these mysteries is a key to ensuring that DCS risk remains at an acceptable level.

The new online seminar addresses some of the fundamental principles that govern inert gas exchange between the environment and tissue, and in particular, the profound effects that bubble formation can have on inert gas exchange. These ideas are placed in a historical context to show how decompression theory has evolved and how this has affected DCS severity.

This unique opportunity is made available to the whole diving public. However, only active DAN members have access to them free of charge, as part of their membership benefits. Non-members can also participate in seminars by purchasing them (20€ each).

How it works

DAN Members with current membership have FREE access to the online seminars on their MyDAN area, where they also find the access codes (PIN). There they are redirected to the online Educational Platform where, after login, they get access to the seminar pages.
Non-Members and Past-Members can access seminars by purchasing the respective access codes at the DAN Shop (Non-Members section). After the purchase, they receive an e-mail with the PIN code and are linked to the online Educational Platform where, after login, they are allowed to enter the seminar page

Go to the seminar

DAN Europe Research Database Now Mac-Compatible

Laura Volpe — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 08:21:00 GMT

DAN Europe Research Database Now Mac-Compatible

Good news for all those divers who are Mac users and who want to take part in DAN Europe's research initiatives. DAN's database of diving profiles is now compatible with Mac devices!

DAN Europe started filling its database with dive profiles back in 1994. The aim was collecting reliable data and support scientific research in the diving field. Prof. Alessandro Marroni and Prof. Ramiro Cali Corleo launched a challenge to the diving community, directly involving volunteer divers and asking them to contribute to research: the first example of citizen science applied to diving research.

The project was first named "Safe Dive" and information were handwritten in notebooks. Paper was later replaced by computers and in year 2000 the project evolved to what is now known as "Diving Safety Laboratory" (DSL).

In 2013 the database became accessible on the MyDAN area. As a result, divers could finally get involved in DAN's research even more easily, by uploading their dive profiles and data online. The most recent improvement fills a void: compatibility with Mac computers. Thanks to all these developments, the database now counts more than 65 thousand dives, an unparalleled result!

DAN researchers worked together with software developers on MacDive, to enable Mac users to download different models of diving computers and make their own logbook. This software is being increasingly used by divers, and efforts will be made to ensure all dive computers support the DAN DL7 format*. Compatibility between the DAN system and MacDive is now a fact.

DAN Research started in 1995 and already has a long list of achievements. A huge "thank you" to all those who made this possible and are still contributing to it!

* DAN DL7 is a proprietary protocol that allows to directly send data into the DAN Europe database.

DAN invites Business Partners to become resellers of Ossidabile

Laura Volpe — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 08:21:00 GMT

DAN invites Business Partners to become resellers of Ossidabile

For decades the DAN Shop has been offering to the dive community a selection of products, including first aid items, diving safety tools and merchandising.

Recently, we started with the distribution of the Ossidabile collections, elegant bronze pendants made in Italy, in craftsmanship, with an innovative and original design dedicated to passionates of diving and the marine world in general.

The success of sales has necessitated an expansion of the distribution network of Ossidabile: as of this year, specialised shops, schools and diving centres across Europe will be able to become authorised dealers.

Solidarity and scientific research: Two more reasons for an Ossidabile

The numerous scientific projects and safety campaigns that DAN leads to improve diving safety, require major investments. DAN supports the costs with the contribution of its members and with funding that is collected through different kinds of projects. The sale of the Ossidabile pendants" is part of these projects.

The partnership between DAN and Ossidabile is based on sharing the same ethical and moral principles. For this reason we have joined forces to support the project "For Africa", which through the sales of the bronze Ossidabile pendants (5% of the profits of the various collections and 100% of the profits of the seahorse), collects funds for the Mission of Morogoro in Tanzania. An initiative aimed to encourage agricultural activities and to build an educational centre, where more than 300 children will be hosted.

Ramón Verdaguer and Pascal Kolb: DAN's new RTCs in Spain and Germany

Laura Volpe — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 08:21:00 GMT

Ramón Verdaguer and Pascal Kolb: DAN's new RTCs in Spain and Germany

We are happy to announce that Ramón Verdaguer is DAN's new Regional Training Coordinator in Spain.
Pascal Kolb, the former RTC in Spain, will take the lead in DAN Training in Germany.

Ramón started scuba diving at the age of 9, and next year he will celebrate 50 year from his first dive. After several years of working as an engineer, he took a sabatical year to move to a little fishermen's village at the Costa Brava to focus on his passions: sailing and diving. Ramón became DAN Instructor in 1995 and got his DAN Instructor Trainer certification in 2009.

Pascal is a diver since 1991. He followed training with different diving organizations and holds various certifications. He became a diving instructor in 2003 and a DAN Trainer in 2007. As of 2009 he was RTC in Spain where he lived for several years. Now he is back in Munich and has agreed to become DAN RTC in Germany.

Ramon and Pascal, as RTCs, are part of the DAN Europe Training Committee, a group of experienced DAN Instructor Trainers. They will work closely together with the Training Dept. in order to improve service towards DAN Europe Instructors and Instructor Trainers.

As official representatives of DAN Europe Training, they will organise Instructor Trainer Workshops, develop educational materials and assist the Instructor Trainers in updating their workshops. In general, they will contribute to the development of DAN Europe Training in Spain and in Germany and get feedbacks about DAN courses, advising on how to maximise communication between DAN Europe Training and DAN Instructor Trainers.

DAN's involvement in developing a robot buddy

Laura Volpe — Sat, 08 Mar 2014 09:21:00 GMT

DAN involved in developing a robot buddy with the CADDY Project

Last January 2014, a new project funded by the EU called CADDY was set up as a collaboration between the University of Zagreb (Croatia), Consiglio Nazionale delle ricerche (Italy), Instituto Superior Técnico (Portugal), Jacobs University Bremen GGMBH (Germany), Universität Wien (Austria), Newcastle University (UK) and DAN Europe. CADDY stands for Cognitive Autonomous Diving BudDY and it consists of two autonomous robots: a surface and an underwater one. The robots will be able to guide, observe and assist the diver, in that it will read the diver's gestures and, in case the diver shows signs of experiencing difficulties, it will communicate the diver's situation to the surface. Furthermore, it will also guide the diver along a predefined path or back to the surface vessel when lost, while respecting diving safety rules.
Finally it will assist the diver by taking pictures, illuminating the area and carrying equipment. Meanwhile, the surface robot serves as a communication link between the diver and the underwater robot, navigating it and communicating its doings to the command centre.

The idea to build a robot buddy came from diving experts, working in the field of underwater archaeology, marine biology and marine safety as they encountered many obstacles when working underwater. There are certain tasks that cannot be performed by just divers or by only robots and that is why they came up with the idea to create a robot, intelligent enough to work closely with a diver and to guarantee his safety. This is where DAN comes in, as a representative of the diving community it will make sure that CADDY respects diving safety rules and that the project contributs to providing a more secure environment for divers to work in. Once the project has been developed, DAN is also interested in expanding the use of CADDY to other areas, such as recreational diving.

Watch the video

For more information on the CADDY project:

Read the full article "CADDY - your future diving buddy" on AlertDiver.eu
Visit the official website http://www.caddy-fp7.eu/

In memoriam of Dr. Yoshihiro Mano, a Founding Father of IDAN

Laura Volpe — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 09:21:00 GMT

In memoriam of Prof. Yoshihiro Mano, a Founding Father of IDAN

The DAN family was deeply saddened by the passing of Prof. Yoshihiro Mano, M.D, Ph.D., last February 15, 2014.
Prof. Mano was greatly respected in the diving community, and considered an authority in diving and hyperbaric medicine, both in Japan and all over the world.

A graduate from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Prof. Mano contributed to create the Civil Alert Network (CAN), which later became DAN Japan. As Executive Director and ambassador of DAN Japan, Prof. Mano put relentless efforts in the realisation, representation and affirmation of DAN in his area. He was one of the founding fathers of International DAN, created in 1991.

As chairman of the Japanese Hyperbaric Medical Society (JHMS), he played a major role in the creation of an ultra-modern hyperbaric medicine treatment facility.

He performed research and applied studies in decompression sickness, oxygen toxicity, dysbaric osteonecrosis, breath-hold diving physiology and medicine, clinical application of hyperbaric oxygen, commercial diving and tunneling.

Prof. Mano obtained numerous recognitions throughout his life, such as the Oceaneering International Award, granted by the Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) in 1998.

Hiro was not only an esteemed colleague for me - says Prof. Alessandro Marroni, President of DAN Europe - but a close and very good friend, and I have not enough words to express my sorrow. He will live forever in my heart and in my thoughts, as well as in the history of Hyperbaric and Diving medicine, and although he will be deeply missed, he will not be forgotten.

Dr. John Lippman, Executive Director of DAN Asia Pacific, says: It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Hiro. He was such a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. Once, with a cheeky glint in his eye, he described himself to me as a bit of a "rebel" in Japan. With his great intellect, passion, drive and wonderful sense of humour, he managed to achieve things that would have been impossible for most others. His contributions to hyperbaric and occupational medicine were substantial, and his establishment of DAN Japan a great achievement. What a broad character he was - continues Dr. Lippman -, his clinical and academic work, his dive instructor activities, his diving show on National television and his personal and professional relationship with some of the royal family. Hiro always had a lot going on! He was a warm, funny and sincere person who was always good company. I always enjoyed catching up with him at the IDAN meetings. Hiro leaves behind a great legacy in multiple arenas and I will always feel a great loss of a mentor and friend.

Prof. Peter Bennet, founder of International DAN together with Prof. Marroni and Prof. Mano, recounts: I met Hiro Mano as a young physician in the Tokyo School of Medicine and Dentistry while I was still working with the RN Scientific Service in England. He was very interested in decompression sickness and soon became the Japanese expert working with commercial divers and Tunnel workers and came regularly to our UHMS Annual Scientific Meeting.
We became good friends over so many years and he was a generous host to my many visits to Japan, where he taught me much of the Japanese culture and their diving medical research over the years. In later years, he developed a strong interest in hyperbaric oxygen therapy with a new chamber in the hospital and close to retirement, the development of the hyperoxic nanobubble. I have always been very grateful how in 1990 he agreed to join his recreational diver safety and hotline organization in Japan with the USA’s Divers Alert Network I had formed in 1980 together with Alessandro Marroni to form International DAN in Europe.
A great friend of Prince Tomohito and his wife in Japan, he taught them both to dive. In 1990, the Prince together with the Japanese Federation of Sub Aquatic Activities initiated a special Prince Tomohito Prize for accomplishments and inspiration in recreational diving.
I will miss Hiro very, very much. We had many delightful meals together in many parts of Japan and enjoyed the hot springs together. He was always trying to ensure at each visit that we would eat some fugu (loaded with tetrodotoxin). However, he could eat about 7 livers with high levels of toxin (1,200 times deadlier than cyanide) and I marvel still how he could do it!
He was very instrumental in recent years in helping with the Undersea Medical Society to continue to develop joint meetings between Japanese and International Scientists in diving medical research. In previous years this had been achieved by the so called UJNR panel, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association in the USA and JAMSTEC in Japan. This continued for 30 years to be replaced again due to the hard work of Hiro in 2006 for a panel on US/Japan Diving, Physiology, Technology and Aerospace Medicine.
Hiro Mano was a very, very special friend and colleague dedicated to diving medicine in Japan. I was to meet him in Japan this April and I will miss him more than words can say.

A Scientific Study on Pregnancy and Diving

Erik Solla — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 09:21:00 GMT

A Scientific Study on Pregnancy and Diving

DAN Europe invites you to participate in a research study conducted by the University Hospital (CHUV) of Lausanne, Switzerland. The study is being conducted in collaboration with three DAN organisations (DAN Europe, DAN America, DAN South Africa) and PADI, and aims to investigate possible implications of diving on the health of pregnant women and on the outcome of their pregnancy.

As you might know, diving is not recommended during pregnancy as a precautionary measure. Scientific data on the subject is poor and it makes it difficult to to give information to women who have dived while pregnant without knowing it at the time. CHUV, with assistance of DAN and PADI, has therefore set up a research study to collect data through an online questionnaire. Gathered data will be analysed and results will help provide to female divers more accurate information concerning health and pregnancy.

We warmly invite all concerned divers to participate in this research study through the online survey. It takes between 10 and 20 minutes to complete the survey.

Participate in the Survey

The survey is anonymous. Neither the investigators, nor membership organizations that provided you information about this study will have access to the identities of the participants. You are not required to fill in all the questions. If you need help with the questionnaire, please contact us via the following email: diving.study@chuv.ch

New Covers for DAN Gold Member Plans

Laura Volpe — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 07:50:00 GMT

New Covers for DAN Gold Member Plans

We inform that last February 6th 2014, some changes have been introduced to all DAN's Gold Membership plans (both new enrolments and renewals).
We kindly invite all Gold Members to discover all the details before they renew their membership.

Here are some of the new features:

Pro Gold plans now have an extended Liability & Legal Defence cover of 4 Million Euros, at no extra cost
All Gold plans now have a 120-day coverage for non-diving related emergencies and travel assistance
All those divers wishing to stay more time abroad now have the possibility of purchasing an extended Travel No-Limits cover, valid 365 days a year

We remind that coverage for non-diving related emergencies and travel assistance is effective from the time the trip has started, i.e. when the Member has left his/her country of residence, until the end of the trip, and no later than the expiration of the policy. Hence, if a Member is in the process or renewing his/her previous Gold plan, has already been abroad for more than 120 days now, and wishes to continue benefiting from this specific insurance benefits, we warmly recommend he/she takes the Travel No-Limit cover.

Coverage of Diving Emergencies stays the same, and remains valid, as always, all year round, worldwide.

For any question or further information, please write to our customer service: mail@daneurope.org

Become a contributor of Alert Diver magazine

Laura Volpe — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 14:50:00 GMT

Become a contributor of Alert Diver magazine

The new Alert Diver website has been launched succesfully and therefore we would like to draw your attention to a section that is completely dedicated to what you have to say. I am talking about your IDEAS !

We believe that anyone should feel free to dive in and share some knowledge on AlertDiver.eu. So on the new website, this special column, called IDEAS, hosts new contributions on a wide range of topics: stories, experiences, articles long and short, projects, or any other original text that has not been published before, and that you find interesting. IDEAS will be a figurative forum to share propositions and information relating to diving.

Are you organising a project that might be of interest to the entire diving community? Have you ever had a diving experience that was so exciting or spectacular that you felt like you had to tell it to everyone? Maybe you have a gift of describing the underwater beauties in such a way that it deserves to be shared on Alert Diver. Or even more importantly, you experienced a situation concerning diving safety that could be helpful for all divers. Please feel free to share your IDEAS with all of us.

IDEAS lists all contents submitted by new contributors and Alert Diver readers, that have been checked and approved by Alert Diver Web editors. You can submit your articles by sending them to ideas@alertdiver.eu, in the following languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Czech, Polish, Finnish and Portoguese. Additional contributions such as photos, graphics and other images are greatly appreciated. Have a look at the guidelines and start writing!

Just feel free to submit your own IDEAS to our editorial board... You might become our next contributor !

Announcement about National Directorates in Slovenia and Greece

Laura Volpe — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:50:00 GMT

Announcement about National Directorates in Slovenia and Greece

We inform you that Dr Bassilis Zachariades of DAN Europe Hellas and Prof. Dr. Igor Mekjavic of DAN Europe Slovenia are no longer the National Directors of the respective regional offices. While the e-mail address hellas@daneurope.org and slovenia@daneurope.org and the international Hotline Number remain unchanged, the national hotline numbers and the information numbers have changed and will be communicated. During the transition period the quality of service our Members have become accustomed to receive from DAN Europe will be guaranteed.

Alert Diver and DAN Europe website now available in Czech language

Erik Solla — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:50:00 GMT

Alert Diver and DAN Europe website now available in Czech language

We are happy to announce that the DAN Europe website and the Alert Diver online magazine have been translated in yet another language and are now available in Czech!

All Czech divers can now access the DAN Europe website in their own language. It will be easier for them to join DAN as members or renew their membership, and get more information about DAN's mission and various activities & events. Also the Alert Diver online Magazine has been translated, with dozens of interesting articles on diving safety practices, diving medicine and more.

As a leading provider of quality services and information focusing on diving safety, serving the international diving community, DAN Europe works on a global level, but with a very local, on-the-ground presence. In fact, there exist 20 Regional Directorates in Europe, one of which is DAN Česko.

Both the DAN Europe website and the Alert Diver online Magazine are now available in seven different languages (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch and Czech). Active DAN Members get unrestricted access to online resources, seminars and other useful contents.

We wish to thank Dr. Pavel Macura and Dr. Jiri Reitinger for their precious help in making the DAN website finally available in Czech!

Join DAN today / Renew your Membership

Read the Alert Diver magazine online

Contact DAN Česko:

National Director Dr. Pavel Macura M.D.
K brizkam 4, Hradec Kralove, PSC 500 09, Czech Republic
Info Line: + 420 495 516 147
Fax: + 420 495 264 641
Email: cekia@daneurope.org

Contact the DAN Europe Continental office:

P.O. Box DAN, 64026 Roseto, Italy
Phone: +39 085 893 0333
Fax: + 39 085 893 0050
Email: mail@daneurope.org
Website: www.daneurope.org

Changes to DAN Europe Partner Program 2014

Erik Solla — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 16:50:00 GMT

Changes to DAN Europe Partner Program

DAN Europe made some exciting new changes to its Partner Program:

A simplified, brand new program
As of January 1st 2014 all Partner Programs utilise the points system. You can earn 8 points (worth 8€) for each member joining DAN or renewing their membership as a result of your promotion. Keep reading for information on how these points can be spent.
Points Equal Prizes!
Besides the numerous products available at the DAN Shop, you will also be able to spend your points on Smartphones, Tablets, iPods and GoPro cameras: have a look at the Partner Rewards Catalogue for the full range of products offered.
We fully comply with EU laws
As you already know, being part of the DAN family means you are protected by a diving-focused insurance cover. The latest European directives outline that only registered insurance brokers can earn commissions while promoting insurance products. Therefore, we have adjusted our Partner Program to meet the new requirements. You are always on the right side with DAN.

Those remarkable DAN Partners who have accumulated at least 200 points will have the chance to access even more profitable rewards.

For more information on the DAN Europe Partner Programe write to partner@daneurope.org.

Diving in Switzerland

Erik Solla — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 16:02:00 GMT

DAN Supports "Diving in Switzerland", a Safety Campaign by FSSS/SUSV

You may wonder, how could a land with no sea be a dream location for a diver? In actual fact, Switzerland has gurgling rivers, crystal clear mountain lakes and emerald coloured lakes in the valleys.

This is why the Swiss Underwater Sport Federation (FSSS/SUSV) has recently published a brochure, "Diving in Switzerland", to promote diving safety. The campaign is addressed to the Swiss diving community and to all those divers visiting Switzerland and wishing to discover its underwater beauties. The brochure serves as a guide and contains many tips to make sure divers starting this experience in a new diving environment are well-prepared.

DAN Europe partnered with FSSS/SUSV and supports this safety campaign. As a result, throughout 2014 DAN will send thousands of campaign brochures to all its Members residing in Switzerland.
DAN will also distribute brochures during events organised in this country.

The brochure can be downloaded in French, Italian and German. Get informed and safely immerse yourself in Switzerland's underwater world!

---

Choosing the right diving site

Swiss lakes and rivers are colder, darker and more turbid than tropical seas and this creates a completely different diving environment. Before exploring this new diving adventure, especially if your experience is limited to diving in the sea, collect some information from diving clubs, shops or schools on the type of diving certification required and ask for recommendations on which material is best to use. The best advice is to attend some diving courses in Switzerland before hitting one of the many lakes or rivers you will find amidst the mountains.

The best place to start for a first dive is to search for a lake site which is not too deep. Of course these sites are often visited by swimmers and other water sport practitioners, so it is important to keep your eyes out for whomever is enjoying a day at the lake, just as you are. In some places it might even be prohibited to dive and therefore, in the before mentioned brochure, you will find various websites that give you a good overview of the ideal diving places in Switzerland.

Diving in rivers, lakes or under the ice

If your are an expert diver you might pick one of the numerous Swiss rivers as your diving destination. However, no matter how expert you are, each river is different and beforehand you need to get to know the characteristics and the possibly tricky points of the river you are diving in. When you are more found of the idea of diving in a lake up in the Alps, surrounded by the impressive mountains, it is interesting to know that the atmospheric pressure will go down when you are higher than 700 metres above sea level. This causes different implications for dive safety, in particular related to decompression. It is important to know the height of your diving location and to get prepared for the cold you will face underwater by packing up some warm clothes and hot beverages, you will greatly enjoy after your dive. If you are a true expert in cold water and the Alpen lakes are like child play to you, you could go diving under the ice. I guess it is needless to say that such an excursion would require appropriated gear and experienced company. No matter what the location, every dive needs a meticulous preparation.

DAN und TAUCHEN - ein exklusiver Mitgliedervorteil

Francesca Di Ferdinando — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 12:00:00 GMT

DAN und TAUCHEN - ein exklusiver Mitgliedervorteil

DAN Europe hat passend zur Weihnachtszeit einen neuen, weiteren Vorteil für seine Mitglieder ausgearbeitet.

TAUCHEN, Europas große Tauchzeitschrift und DAN Europe arbeiten gemeinsam für die Tauchsicherheit und DAN Mitglieder profitieren davon besonders.
Ab sofort brauchst Du keine Ausgabe von TAUCHEN zu verpassen und kannst gleichzeitig fast 25% sparen.

Aktive DAN Europe Mitglieder bezahlen nur 9 Ausgaben und erhalten 12.

Deine Vorteile im Überblick:

Du verpasst keine Ausgabe
Jedes Heft wird pünktlich nach Hause geliefert
TAUCHEN schenkt Dir 3 Ausgaben

Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt für Neukunden eines TAUCHEN-Jahresabbonnement.

Auf unserer Webseite findest Du die Details und den Link zu TAUCHEN.

Eine schöne Vorweihnachtszeit und immer sichere Tauchgänge wünscht DAN Europe.

A Brand New Way to Read ALERT DIVER

Erik Solla — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 22:00:00 GMT

A Brand New Way to Read ALERT DIVER

We proudly announce that AlertDiver.eu, a totally renewed version of ALERT DIVER, our digital magazine, is finally out!

AlertDiver.eu is an interactive platform, with contents available in up to 18 languages, where you can share articles, join online contests, watch videos, download the magazine in PDF format, and much more!

The new website will make it possible to search the huge ALERT DIVER LIBRARY, with hundreds of articles on dive medicine and dive safety.

Active DAN Europe Members get FREE and unlimited access to all sections
DAN Members with an expired membership or Registered Users on the DAN website can access selected contents.

The new ALERT DIVER magazine comes out right in time for DAN Europe's 30th anniversary...
a goal that we want to celebrate and share with our fellow divers!

Press Contact
Cristian Pellegrini
cpellegrini@daneurope.org