Using the DAN Emergency Hotline
+1-919-684-4DAN (4326)

Whenever you need help, DAN is there. DAN's medical staff is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to handle diving emergencies such as decompression sickness, arterial gas embolism, pulmonary barotrauma, or other serious diving-related injuries. Each year, DAN answers more than 2000 calls on the diving emergency hotline from its members and divers.

When you call the DAN Emergency Hotline:

• The number +1-919-684-4DAN (4326) is answered at the switchboard of Duke University Medical Center. Tell the operator you have a diving emergency. The operator will either connect you directly with DAN or have someone call you back at the earliest possible moment.
• DAN's medical staff may make an immediate recommendation or call you back after making arrangements with a local physician or the DAN Regional Coordinator. DAN Regional Coordinators are familiar with chamber facilities in their area, and because they're qualified in diving medicine, they can make recommendations about treatment.
• DAN's medical staff or Regional Coordinator may ask you to wait by the phone while they make arrangements. These plans may take 30 minutes or longer, as several phone calls may be required. This delay should not place the diver in any greater danger. However, if the situation is life-threatening, arrange to transport the diver immediately to the nearest local medical facility for immediate stabilization and assessment of his or her condition. Call DAN TravelAssist at 1-800-326-3822 at this time for consultation with the local medical provider.