Value of DAN/DES for "Joe Average" Diver

[Fairfax22032]

I am giving some thought to completing the coursework for the DAN/Diving Emergency Specialist (DES) certification this winter and was wondering what, if anything, this means to a typical recreational diver who will almost always dive with group led by trained professionals.

I hate to think of myself as a "badge collector", but I enjoy this type of material as both an EMT and Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC) technician as a result of being a member of the National Ski Patrol. I figure that I will go on to get my Rescue Diver cert after completing AOW sometime next year. Do DMs and trip operators enjoy knowing that there are other trained divers who can help in an emergency? Is this a pretty common cert? How do people view this cert? If you are on a trip is it appropriate to tell your companions that you are DES-qualified?

[Fairfax22032]

I just realized that I got a little ahead of myself...I need to complete Rescue Diver before I can get DES, but the general question remains and maybe should include whether Rescue Diver is a cert that most people do/do not pursue.

[scubajcf]

I think every diver should strive to become a rescue diver first year. The only requirement I know of for DEMP is to be current in CPR.

DAN Divers Alert Network : Training & Education : Diving Emergency Management Provider Program (http://www.diversalertnetwork.org/training/courses/demp/overview.asp)

The more rescue/emergency response training you have - the more ready you will be should you be caught in an emergency. It is important to learn, hone and practice all these skills.

You are only a card collector/merit badge collector if you do not take the training seriously, let your skills whither away, and do the bare minimum to pass the course. Is your emphasis in being qualified or certified? If it is being qualified, then take the course, really 'master' the skills and make them a part of your practice protocols henceforth.

With advanced level diving, you get as much out of it as you put into it. If you are looking to collect cards, then pay the money, slide through the requirement and you will be certified. If you want to be a great diver, don't settle for subpar training.

Hope this helps!

jcf





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[scubajcf]

Whoops, I am sorry - you wrote DES; Not DEMP. You are right, you need to be rescue certified.

However, everything else still applies.

jcf





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[Fairfax22032]

Yep...want to be qualified...not just certified, mainly because if someone knows that I have the cert and I display the decal/patch I want to be ready to help if called upon. I am no longer active as a volunteer firefighter which was my primary avenue for using my EMT skills, but I am confident that I can act if I come upon an auto accident or my neighbor falls off a ladder while cleaning his gutters. I guess that the same holds true if I am on a dive boat and someone falls ill.