DAN SEAP Helps Divers in Need You think it won't happen to you…but the DAN SEAP TravelAssist evacuation service has helped many divers over the years. Dr Ingrid Visser, a DAN member from New Zealand, was on a diving holiday in Papua New Guinea, when she developed suspected decompression illness. Shortly after surfacing from a dive in Kimbe Bay, Dr Visser, developed symptoms that included a rash, severe headache, fever and extreme sensitivity to light. She then lost consciousness. The dive boat captain put Dr Visser on oxygen, called a DAN Hotline to organize an evacuation, and took the boat back to port. Shortly afterwards, a specially pressurized plane took her to Townsville where she was taken to Townsville Hospital. After a week-long stay, Dr Visser was released from hospital, and has now fully recovered from her symptoms. Her condition was never confirmed to be decompression illness.

"I can't express how wonderful DAN was…the follow-up was even more impressive than the evacuation. John (Lippmann) has kept in touch and was so kind and helpful to me when I was in hospital and then later when I had to get my research equipment out of PNG. If it wasn't for the evacuation, it is not sure that I would have survived, so how can I ever say enough thanks? " The cost of Dr Visser's evacuation was AUD$42,000. DAN SEAP Executive Director John Lippmann says "This is an example of how the DAN system can effectively come into play to assist a member in their time of need, regardless of whether the emergency is diving-related or not. Each year, DAN internationally handles many such emergencies for its members, as well as funding a series of emergency hotlines throughout the world for the benefit of all divers". DAN SEAP maintained contact with Dr Visser after the evacuation, and arranged for her to be flown back to her home in New Zealand following her release from hospital. DAN SEAP also paid for Dr Visser's photographic equipment to be transported from PNG to New Zealand. DAN SEAP TravelAssist is available to all members of DAN SEAP and offers the security of a 24-hour worldwide emergency evacuation service. This service is for both diving and non-diving incidents. When a member needs evacuation, they can call the TravelAssist number (+1-919-684 3483). If evacuation is necessary, the member will be evacuated to the nearest appropriate medical facility. In Dr Visser's case this was Townsville, as it was assessed that a higher level of care was required than was available in PNG. DAN TravelAssist will pay up to $US100, 000 of the evacuation expenses. Other TravelAssist benefits include the visit of a family member/friend, the return of dependant children or traveling companion, repatriation of remains, return of vehicle, emergency cash advance and pre-trip information service. Divers Alert Network S. E. Asia-Pacific is a not-for-profit dive safety organisation working to improve safety in diving for all divers. It is a member-based organisation that provides education, training, research and evacuation, and insurance services. As a not-for-profit organisation, any excess revenue is directed towards improving dive safety within this region of the world. For further information on DAN SEAP and the benefits of membership, contact them at:  DAN SEAP, PO Box 384, Ashburton, Victoria 3147, Australia.  Tel: +61 [3] 9886 9166.  Fax: +61 (3) 9886 9155.  E-mail: : info@danseap.org  or visit the website at: www.danseap.org