DAN Announces New Diver Hotline Phone Number

[DevilDiver]

DURHAM, NC – Effective immediately, the phone number for the DAN 24-Hour SCUBA Diving Emergency Hotline has changed. The new number is (919) 684-9111.

The change, dubbed “One Call,” is part of the continuing mission of Divers Alert Network® (DAN®) to increase the safety of SCUBA divers. With the new hotline number, divers need only to call a single phone number to activate emergency services, regardless of what kind of emergency assistance is needed.
“Over the last few years, as the benefits and resources we provided the dive industry increased, so did the phone numbers to access the assistance,” said Nicholas Bird, MD, vice president of DAN Medical Services. “SCUBA divers were getting understandably confused. By simplifying the process to a single phone number, we’ve given divers needing assistance one less thing to think about in a stressful situation.”

The new number replaces the need to decide whether to call DAN, TravelAssist to facilitate emergency evacuation, or a medical facility. Simply call DAN at the new hotline number, and all emergency assistance will be triaged and facilitated from there.

“We had a goal this year to streamline our emergency assistance resources,” said Dan Orr, president and CEO of DAN. “One Call is a huge step toward that goal, and it’s an extremely positive step in moving SCUBA diver safety forward.”

DAN’s previous hotline numbers will remain in effect for a transitional grace period. However, all divers are encouraged to update their emergency contact information and emergency assistance plans as soon as possible.

As always, in the case of an immediate life-threatening emergency, contact 911 (or the equivalent emergency response system), and then call DAN.

The DAN Emergency Hotline (919-684-9111) is available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. It can be reached by collect call or from outside the U.S.

[CompuDude]

Updated my phone... and my wife's.

[comet24]

Didn't know they had made a change. Thanks.

[BuzzGA]

Thanks for the heads up...here's my question. Does this make the hotline number on the front of my DAN Tag no good and mean I have to order another one? I sent the question to DAN...I'll let you know what I hear. If the number on the DAN tags are now no good that is quite a profitable little change for DAN

[PTAaron]

Strange - that seems like it would be a hassle given all of the tags and stickers out there with the other number on them. I would guess they would have to keep the other number "live" simply for that reason.

On the DAN site it still lists the other number when you click the link to "emergency hotline": Divers Alert Network : DAN Medical Center : Diving Emergency Hotline

[comet24]

DAN’s previous hotline numbers will remain in effect for a transitional grace period. However, all divers are encouraged to update their emergency contact information and emergency assistance plans as soon as possible.

Interesting. Wonder if DAN didn't think this all the way through. They should leave the old number up with no time limit.

[BuzzGA]

I heard back from DAN...the old numbers still work

Dear Buzz-

Thanks for this inquiry and sorry for any confusion. The quick answer is - the old numbers are still good.

DAN has consolidated it's emergency line numbers to ring into the +1-919-684-9111. BTW - for those seeking a toll-free option, we offer +1-800-684-9111, and yes, we will continue to accept collect calls. This does not mean the 684-4326 or 684-8111 are disappearing - on the contrary, they will continue to be answered as they have in the past and be immediately transferred to the appropriate DAN On-Call Medical Staff.

This is primarily DAN's effort to simplify the process for those contacting DAN's Emergency Services with one, easily recognizable number. Please feel free to disseminate this information as you see fit.

Thanks again for your inquiry.

Yours in dive safety..., -\dnord

Divers Alert Network

Daniel A. Nord

Director, DAN Medical Services