DIVERS ALERT NETWORK: ASIA-PACIFIC Divers Alert Network, widely known as DAN, is an international non-profit medical and research organisation dedicated to the safety and health of divers. WWW.DANAP.ORG
DIVERS ADRIFT
SURVIVING BEING LOST AT SEA
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xploration isn’t easy — if it were, everyone would do it. The reality is that the next big shipwreck to be found may be hundreds of miles from the nearest coast, tucked into a remote cove hours from civilization, or in an area with huge tidal currents. The more difficult a wreck is to get to, the more rewarding its discovery, but also the more likely it is that you’ll run into trouble during or after your dive. Challenges become hazards quickly, and many offshore adventures are rife with risk factors that make it more likely that you’ll surface from your dive without a boat in sight. Whether your charter sprung a leak and became a new dive site, or drifted off in search of another diver ,here’s what you need to know to survive.
ASSESS YOUR SITUATION
The first step in any survival situation is to take in all the information available to you. If you are lost without the knowledge that a vessel is actively looking for you, it may be wise to start thinking about nearby shore. With near-coastal charters in particular, land may be just a short swim away. Extended exposure to the elements means dehydration, loss of body heat, exposure to sun and lack of food and water. You’ll want to look at what you have for signalling devices and exposure protection first; your most-important task is to signal a vessel, but you’ll need to avoid becoming too sunburned or cold in the process. Should your attempts to signal a passing vessel fail, you’ll want to ensure you’re as warm and uninjured as possible while you wait for a search party to locate you.
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If you are lost without the knowledge that a vessel is actively looking for you, it may be wise to start thinking about nearby shore
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