Guides

Safety & Dive Medicine

Articles on decompression sickness, ear and sinus problems, flying after diving and medical fitness to dive. Each one links to the dive medicine sources it is based on.

These guides are general information. For a medical question, see a doctor. In an emergency, call local emergency services or your regional DAN hotline.

Safety & Dive MedicineSeptember 9, 20269 min read

PFO and Scuba Diving: Who Should Get Tested and What Comes Next

What a patent foramen ovale (PFO) means for divers: DCS risk figures, who the 2025 SPUMS/UKDMC statement says to test, and the options if you have one.

Safety & Dive MedicineSeptember 7, 20268 min read

Why Divers Get DCS Within the Limits: Data and Risk Factors

Why divers get decompression sickness inside table and computer limits: what DAN data show, the risk factors behind undeserved bends and how to lower the risk.

Safety & Dive MedicineSeptember 6, 202610 min read

Decompression Sickness Symptoms and First Aid for the Bends

Decompression sickness symptoms and when they start, how DCS differs from gas embolism, and first aid in the right order, with DAN emergency numbers.

Safety & Dive MedicineSeptember 4, 20269 min read

Nitrogen Narcosis: Symptoms and the Depth Where It Starts

Nitrogen narcosis symptoms by depth, what makes it worse, whether divers adapt, oxygen and END, and why helium is used for deep dives, with medical sources.

Safety & Dive MedicineAugust 24, 202610 min read

Ear Barotrauma vs Swimmer's Ear: Symptoms, Urgency, Diving Again

Middle ear and inner ear barotrauma compared with swimmer's ear: causes, symptoms, which signs need urgent care, prevention on trips and return to diving.

Safety & Dive MedicineAugust 22, 20268 min read

Dive Insurance Explained: What DAN and Travel Policies Cover

Real travel insurance wording on scuba depth limits, what DAN and other dive accident plans pay for, hyperbaric and evacuation costs, and what to check.

Safety & Dive MedicineAugust 21, 20268 min read

Flying After Diving: How Long to Wait Before You Fly

How long to wait before flying after scuba diving: the DAN/UHMS 12 and 18 hour minimums, how other guidance differs, cabin altitude and mountain roads.

Safety & Dive MedicineJuly 23, 20268 min read

Panic While Scuba Diving: Warning Signs, Triggers and What to Do

What research says about panic in diving, early signs in you and your buddy, stop-breathe-think-act, and how to train out triggers such as mask flooding.

Safety & Dive MedicineJune 29, 202610 min read

Diver Medical Questionnaire: When You Need a Doctor's Sign-Off

How the 2026 diver medical questionnaire works, which yes answers need a doctor's sign-off, what to bring to the appointment and how to find a dive doctor.

Safety & Dive MedicineJune 20, 20268 min read

Is Scuba Diving Dangerous? Death Rates, Causes and Who Is at Risk

Scuba diving death rates from DAN reports and peer-reviewed studies, what causes fatal accidents, who is most at risk and the steps that lower it.