Remember 919-684-9111: Why DAN's emergency number matters for scuba enthusiasts

What is the emergency phone number for the Divers Alert Network?

• A. 911
• B. 415-684-9111
• C. 919-684-9111
• D. 800-555-0199

Answer: (C)

The correct answer is 919-684-9111, which is the emergency phone number for the Divers Alert Network (DAN). DAN is an organization that provides a variety of services to divers, including emergency assistance and health-related information pertaining to diving. This specific number is important for divers to remember because it connects them directly to professional help in the event of a diving emergency. The choice of this number emphasizes the unique needs divers may face, such as decompression sickness or other diving-related injuries, where timely assistance is crucial. When faced with a diving incident, calling the correct number ensures that divers can access specialized support and medical guidance tailored to their specific situation. As for the other options, while 911 is a widely recognized emergency number, it does not directly connect to the specific services that DAN provides for divers. The remaining options, such as 415-684-9111 and 800-555-0199, do not correspond to the official DAN emergency contact, further highlighting the importance of knowing the correct number for divers to ensure they receive the best possible care in emergencies.

Why you’ll want to memorize this one number on every dive kit

If you’re earning your open water certification with IANTD, you already know safety isn’t glamorous, but it’s nonnegotiable. The moment you slip into your wetsuit and slide into the water, you’re trading certainty for a little bit of risk. That’s why one small detail matters more than you might think: the emergency number for the Divers Alert Network, or DAN. This isn’t just trivia to memorize; it’s a lifeline that connects divers with specialized medical guidance exactly when it’s needed most.

What DAN is and why it matters

DAN is a resource built for divers. It’s not a generic emergency line; it’s a network of dive medicine specialists who understand the unique risks of underwater activities. From decompression sickness to nitrogen narcosis and other diving-related injuries, the DAN team has the training to guide you through the right steps until you can get to proper medical care. In a pinch, having access to experts who know what water pressure, gas laws, and dive physiology feel like in real time can make a life-or-death difference.

The emergency number you should know

Here’s the core fact to tuck away: 919-684-9111 is the official DAN emergency line. When you’re dealing with a potential diving emergency, this is the number that connects you to professionals who can translate symptoms into a course of action that’s specifically tailored to a dive scenario.

The other options in the multiple-choice question aren’t the right fit for a dedicated diving emergency. 911 is the general purpose number for urgent situations, but it doesn’t automatically route you to DAN’s dive specialists or provide dive-specific medical guidance. The other listed numbers aren’t verified DAN connections. In other words, this particular line is built to respond to the unique needs you may face under water or soon after a dive, not a generic medical call.

So why not just call 911 in a diving emergency?

• 911 will get help fast, certainly, but it’s designed to connect you to local EMS for general emergencies.

• If the person answering isn’t trained in dive medicine, you might get advice that’s technically correct for emergencies, but not specific to the complications that can occur after a dive.

• DAN can coordinate with local providers, offer oxygen recommendations, and share dive-specific information that’s crucial in the minutes after an incident.

That nuance matters when your situation involves gas, pressure, or rapid changes in symptoms that only a dive physician would immediately recognize.

What happens when you call 919-684-9111

Let me explain what typically unfolds on a DAN call. You reach a trained specialist who will:

• Gather essential details: your location, the dive site, how long you’ve been underwater, symptoms, current breathing status, and any medications you’re taking.

• Assess the risk: they’ll ask clarifying questions to gauge the likelihood of decompression illness, arterial gas embolism, or other diving-specific issues.

• Provide medical guidance: you’ll get immediate, step-by-step recommendations. This might include oxygen administration guidelines, positioning, and what to do while you’re en route to care.

• Coordinate care: if you’re near a hospital or a dive-illness center, they can help connect you with the right team and share critical information with on-site providers.

• Offer follow-up support: after the initial call, they may stay in touch to help monitor symptoms and guide next steps.

In practice, that means you’re not just calling for someone to tell you to wait; you’re speaking with professionals who understand how a stomach pain after a dive or a limb that feels “funny” could fit into a broader medical picture in the context of scuba diving.

Real-world sense-making: when to reach out

You might be thinking, “If I’m in a safe place and everything seems okay, is this really necessary?” Yes, it’s worth having this resource handy. Consider scenarios where the DAN line truly becomes a game changer:

• You suspect decompression sickness or arterial gas embolism following a ascent, a long surface interval, or a rapid ascent.

• You or a buddy notice symptoms such as persistent joint pain, dizziness, confusion, weakness, or trouble breathing after a dive.

• You’re far from medical facilities, perhaps on a liveaboard or a remote dive site, and you need expert guidance while you arrange transport.

• There’s a barotrauma or a suspected dive-related injury that requires specialized advice before medical crews arrive.

The main point: time often matters more underwater, but the right guidance on land or on a boat can save precious minutes and reduce risk.

Practical tips you’ll actually use

Let me share a few simple, practical steps you can implement today to make sure you’re ready if something goes wrong:

• Save the number in your phone: 919-684-9111. Make it easy to access—perhaps label it “DAN Diving Help.”

• Keep a paper backup: a small card in your dive bag with the number and a brief note about your dive site and emergency plan.

• Have your location handy: if you’re on a liveaboard or in a remote area, share the exact spot or GPS coordinates when you call.

• Know your dive details: be ready to share your maximum depth, bottom time, and last safe ascent, if possible.

• Oxygen readiness: if you carry supplemental oxygen on your boat or in your kit (as many divers do for first aid), know the basic guidelines DAN or a medical professional would advise for administering it.

• Don’t delay EMS for the call: if someone is severely hurt or unresponsive, call local emergency services first. You can still reach DAN for specialized guidance as you coordinate care.

A note on safety culture and learning

For students in the IANTD Open Water Diver path (and the broader diving community), the takeaway isn’t just a phone number. It’s a reminder that preparedness is a core skill. Courses emphasize checklists, buddy systems, and post-dive routines. The DAN number fits into that framework as a safety resource you hope never to use, but you’ll be grateful you have when you need it.

A small, human digression that lands back on the point

I’m reminded of how some of the best safety habits feel almost invisible until a moment of need. It’s like having a spare tire in the trunk: you don’t think about it on sunny days, but the relief you feel the moment you notice a nail in the road is enormous. The DAN line is that spare—quiet, dependable, ready to roll when the unexpected happens. And because diving teaches you to adapt to changing conditions, knowing where to turn for specialized help is part of being a capable, confident diver.

A few closing thoughts

• Memorize 919-684-9111 and keep it accessible where you store your dive gear.

• Remember that DAN’s line is specialized for diving medical guidance and can coordinate with local care facilities.

• Use the line as a proactive safety tool, not a last resort.

Connecting IANTD learners with real-world safety

For those moving through the IANTD Open Water program, the best safety systems are simple, reliable, and practiced. The DAN emergency number is a perfect example: a clear, purpose-built contact that speaks to the realities of diving life. It’s a reminder that dive education isn’t only about how to stay underwater longer, but also about how to stay safe when the underwater world throws a curveball.

If you’re curious, chat with your dive shop or your course instructor about adding DAN resources to your safety plan. It’s a small step, and yet it can make all the difference when a partner’s bubble count suddenly changes, or you’re deciding the fastest route to care after an unexpected ascent.

Bottom line: keep the DAN number close, use it wisely, and carry that calm, informed approach with you on every underwater adventure.