Increasingly, knowledgeable diving physicians agree that emergency oxygen is the single most effective first-aid measure for decompression sickness, air embolism, and near drowning. With oxygen therapy, nitrogen elimination from the surrounding tissues is significantly increased which may help the injured diver recover more rapidly and reduce the likelihood for permanent residual damage.

Support for using oxygen as first aid throughout the diving community has been positive, but until recently, access to instruction in the use of oxygen equipment for the general diving public has been seriously lacking. DAN has initiated a major effort to provide training for the general diving public in administration of emergency oxygen in the field. Since its inception in 1991, the course has trained more than 30,000 providers through the 2,500 DAN-trained instructors and instructor trainers in the field. Many dive stores have DAN Oxygen Instructors on their staff. If you cannot find a course in your area, call DAN's Training Department at (919) 684-2948 for information or refer to the DAN Oxygen Course listing in each issue of Alert Diver magazine.