In 2023, DAN celebrates its 40th anniversary. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the history and achievements of this institution in the diving world!
In 1983, Dr. Alessandro Marroni founded IDA (International Diving Assistance) in Milan. The first diving association to offer a 24/7 emergency hotline, a global assistance network, and dive-specific insurance plans. It quickly gained credibility, expanded throughout Europe and became known as DAN Europe (Divers Alert Network). In 1991, IDAN (International DAN) was created in Durham (USA), bringing together all DAN organizations worldwide (America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Japan). Subsequently, DAN also expanded to South Africa, the Maldives, Egypt…
Many achievements
The organization continues to grow and establish new services: assistance and support for divers and their families after a diving accident, creation of insurance subsidiaries, diving training for people with disabilities, launch of the Dan Europe application…
In the field of safety, the RCAPP (Recompression Chamber Assistance & Partnership Program) program, aims to ensure the availability, quality, and safety of hyperbaric chambers through numerous training sessions (safety, chamber attendants and operators, maintenance…).
L’education is at the heart of DAN’s actions. The organization offers numerous resources and courses and also establishes cooperations with medical universities. These courses cover a wide range of areas: hyperbaric technicians, medical oxygen rebreathers, first aid, safety management…
DAN is also committed to environmental preservation with the Road Trips (2016-2019) and the Sustainable Tours (2021-2022) to meet partners, stakeholders, institutions, and the community, raising awareness about safety in diving activities and ocean conservation issues.
The Research Division
Since its Research Division was established in 1994, the DAN Europe team, composed of doctors, physiologists, and interns, has published hundreds of scientific studies (flying after diving, diabetes and diving, preconditioning and diving, etc.) many of which have profoundly influenced scuba diving and freediving practices, contributed to broadening our knowledge of diving medicine and physiology, and had a positive impact on diver safety. Among the major projects of this division are: SAFE DIVE, which later became DSL (Diving Safety Laboratory), a mobile research laboratory involving volunteer divers. Also, the signing, in 2010, of a partnership with Cousteau Divers to collaborate on citizen science projects.
DAN in numbers
More than 110,000 members worldwide: the largest organization in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to promote diving safety.
Approximately 5,000 emergency calls handled each year by experienced staff via the emergency hotline.
More than 180 DAN doctors – the greatest specialists in diving medicine and hyperbarics in their respective countries and worldwide – available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist divers in need.
Des hundreds of hyperbaric chambers included in the DAN network, selected for their reliability and safety standards.
More than 40 renowned scientists and researchers work for and with DAN on numerous projects regarding diving medicine and physiology.
More than 300 publications listed in international scientific journals.
14 courses offered, with more than 420,000 DAN Providers certified to date. The most comprehensive educational offer on first aid and diving safety.
40 years protecting divers!