In the unfortunate event you need a recompression chamber, the one you go to will be coordinated and chosen by the Diving Emergency Service (DES) Phone 1-800-088-200. The only recompression facility in Queensland is in Townsville. If this chamber is unavailable, the DES will arrange transportation to another recompression facility outside of Queensland. Contact the DES for any scuba diving accident, decompression injury/sickness, embolism, marine sting or envenomisation, bite or blackout.

Scuba dives are usually fairly shallow and decompression is not an issue. However, when scuba diving on the Barrier Reef there is greater temptation and opportunity to go deeper. The nearest recompression facility is at Townsville. The outer Great Barrier Reefs are several hours from the mainland by boat, and Townsville is a 3 1/2 hours drive from either direction -that's at least 7 hours before recompression can begin. Therefore, it is best to say that, for practical purposes, recompression is not available in the Whitsundays and the Cairns region, and prevention should be the guideline.

When you call the number, listen to the operator carefully, give your exact location, phone number, call sign and boat or resort name and then calmly explain the circumstances. Ideally, you'll be able to give exact details about the patient: name, location, status, what happened, first aid given, depths, times, symptoms, times of onset, etc. Do not hang up until the operator tells you to. This is a free call 24 hours a day.

For all general emergencies (fire, ambulance and police) call 000. If you call the number, first state what your emergency is and which service you require. Again, listen to the operator carefully, giving as specific information about the patient and incident as possible. Do not hang up until the operator tells you to. This is a free call 24 hours a day.

If you are at Whitsunday island resort, on a liveaboard diving boat or some other commercial facility, report the situation to the appropriate person. Do not try to take over, as the staff will have locally legislated procedures to follow, which may be different from your training.

Divers Alert Network (DAN) is an international membership association of individuals and organisations sharing a common interest in scuba diving and safety. It includes DAN South East Asia and Pacific (DAN SEAP), which is an autonomous non profit association based in Australia that funds the Australian Diving Emergency Service (DES). DAN SEAP's emergency number in Australia is Phone 1-800-088-200.

DAN does not directly provide medical care; however, it does provide advice on early treatment, evacuation and hyperbaric treatment of diving-related injuries. DAN membership is reasonably priced and includes DAN Travel Assist, a membership benefit, which covers medical air evacuation from anywhere in the world for any illness or injury. For a small additional fee, scuba divers can get secondary insurance coverage for decompression illness.

As Australian travel agents, we would direct you to the following contact phone numbers...For membership questions (Australia) Phone 03-9886 9166, Fax 03-9886 9155, (North America) Phone 800-446671 or 919-684-2948 elsewhere.

Diver's Alert Network
Southeast Asia - Pacific
ABN 67 066 827 129

Head office - Australia
PO Box 384, Ashburton, Victoria, 3147, Australia
49a Karnak Road, Ashburton, Victoria, 3147, Australia
Ph: +61 3 9886 9166
Fax: +61 3 9886 9155
www.danseap.com.au
info@danseap.com.au

DAN SEAP - Philippines
Suite 123, Makati Medical Centre
2 Amorsolo St, Makati City, 1200
Ph/Fax: (02) 817 5601

DAN SEAP - New Zealand
PO Box 32340, Devonport, Auckland
Ph: (09) 445 5036
Fax: (09) 445 5973

DAN SEAP - Malaysia
Dept of Hyperbaric Medicine
Armed Forces Hospital, Lumut
Ph: (05) 683 7090
Fax: (05) 683 7169