Diving Emergency Specialist (DES)
Diving regularly will build up your experience as well as keeping your skills sharp, but to improve further, you could consider continuing your education. Keeping up to date learning new diving skills and medical techniques will enable you to take better care of yourself and other divers.
To commend divers who have been through the training to make them safer divers and better buddies, Divers Alert Network has created the Diving Emergency Specialist (DES) award.
What do I need to start?
Prospective candidates must hold current certifications in Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries (or equivalent), and three of the following:
• Advanced Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries (or equivalent)
• First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries (or equivalent)
• Automated External Defibrillation (AED) (or equivalent)
• On-site Neurological Assessment for Divers (or equivalent)
• Medical Oxygen Rebreather (MO2R)
Divers who completed the DAN Diving First Responder Provider course will have the necessary prerequisites.
The diver must also hold:
• A rescue-level certification or higher with a dive training agency
• A current CPR and first aid certifications (for example DAN BLS certification passed during the last 24 months).
What will I do?
To receive this recognition, the diver must submit the DES application directly to DAN Training, together with photocopies of all the certificates (if not DAN qualifications) and payment.
On qualification you will receive a plastic Diving Emergency Specialist certification card, a DES certificate and a DES shoulder patch.
You will also receive a coupon good for 10% off oxygen units or accessories.
DES Instructor or Trainer Recognition
Better-prepared divers make safer divers, so DAN has a recognition scheme for its trainers and instructors who teach all of the DAN classes and stress dive safety at every opportunity. These trainers and instructors can apply for the Diving Emergency Specialist (DES) Trainer or Instructor rating with DAN. For more information click here.
