The DANcast

In this episode of The DANcast, Adriana Brangi, known as the MS Mermaid and founder of Diving Beyond MS, shares how scuba diving helped her find freedom and purpose after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).

From earning her certification in the cold waters of New York to exploring vibrant reefs in Curaçao and Roatán, Adriana discusses the physical and mental benefits of diving, the inclusive spirit of the sport, and her mission to inspire others living with chronic illnesses to embrace new possibilities through adaptive diving and adventure.For more information about Adriana and Diving Beyond MS, visit divingbeyondms.org and instagram.com/mymsmermaidlife.

Guido Wätzig, CEO of Scuba Schools International (SSI), joins The DANcast to share his journey from teenage dive instructor to leader of one of the world's largest diver training organizations. He discusses SSI's commitment to safety, diver education, and the principles behind the SSI Diver Diamond, including personal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and emergency preparedness. Guido also talks about SSI's partnership with DAN through the Powered by DAN program and recounts a real-life rescue in the Maldives that highlights the importance of first aid training and readiness when seconds count.

For more information about SSI, visit DiveSSI.com.

The DANcast welcomes NAUI Worldwide representatives Beth Postell, vice president of operations, and Victoria Gonzalez, communications specialist. Together, they discuss NAUI’s history as the world's oldest recreational scuba training agency and its mission of "Dive Safety Through Education.”Beth and Victoria explain the agency’s "Loved One Concept,” a philosophy that encourages instructors to train divers to a standard they would trust with their own family members. They also discuss skill mastery, effective communication, NAUI’s collaborations with DAN, and practical advice for new and returning divers.Learn more about NAUI at NAUI.org.

Terrence Tysall has spent more than four decades exploring some of the world's most remote underwater environments, from deep cave systems to historic shipwrecks and groundbreaking scientific expeditions.

In this episode, the NAUI Worldwide Director of Training shares how a childhood passion for diving grew into a career defined by exploration, leadership, and discovery.Terrence recounts his involvement in the first exploratory dive on the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, expeditions to the bottom of Belize's Great Blue Hole, and the work of the Cambrian Foundation. He also reflects on the longstanding relationship between NAUI and DAN, the importance of conservation, and why thoughtful, comprehensive training is one of the most important investments divers can make in their safety underwater.

To learn more about NAUI, visit NAUI.org.

0:00 Introduction

1:14 Early Diving Experiences & Military Diving

3:12 Technical Diving

4:27 SS Edmund Fitzgerald

7:27 Blue Hole Expeditions

14:16 Cambrian Foundation and Bikini Atoll

18:10 Favorite Dives

19:07 Conservation

21:00 Future Diving Plans

23:30 Advancing Dive Safety and Training

25:35 Conclusion

In this episode, we sit down with Morgan Oughton, Spacefish Army’s founder and designer, to discuss her transition from the New York fashion industry to becoming a dive professional and entrepreneur.

Morgan shares the story behind Spacefish Army's colorful dive apparel and explains her creative process, from translating ocean inspiration into highly visible, UV-protective garments for diving to incorporating recycled materials into the product line.

She also reflects on lessons learned as a dive instructor and business owner and shares her personal safety philosophy, emphasizing honest self-assessment and clear communication.For more information about Spacefish Army, visit spacefisharmy.com.

• 0:00 Introduction
• 0:29 From Fashion Industry to Dive Pro
• 2:06 Origins of Spacefish Army
• 4:43 Sustainability
• 6:14 Inclusive Sizing for Divers
• 9:19 Future Plans
• 10:48 Community Through Diving
• 12:06 Working with Dive Retailers
• 14:08 Personal Safety Philosophy
• 17:30 Favorite Dive Sites
• 18:38 Ocean Inspiration and Design
• 20:03 Conclusion

Lifelong wreck diver Mike Dudas shares the history of the Andrea Doria on the 70th anniversary of the Italian ocean liner’s tragic sinking. Often called the “Mount Everest of scuba diving,” the Doria has shaped the course of technical and wreck diving from its resting place in 240 feet of seawater off the northeastern United States.

With family roots in the storied Northeast wreck diving community, Mike reflects on the generations of divers who’ve explored the legendary wreck. His father participated in the first recreational Andrea Doria expedition in 1966, and his mother became the first woman to dive it in 1967.

The conversation covers how decades of structural deterioration, combined with advances in equipment and safety practices, have changed how divers experience the Doria. Mike also discusses leading expeditions in Bikini Atoll (home to some of the world’s most remote and renowned wrecks), and shares insights on training, dive planning, and navigation for divers of all experience levels.

Beyond the technical elements of wreck diving, this episode explores the enduring fascination with wrecks and how generations of divers contribute to the living history of vessels like the Andrea Doria.

• 0:00 Introduction
• 0:27 Mike’s Background 
• 1:59 Andrea Doria 
• 5:08 Andrea Doria History
• 8:33 Favorite Doria Stories
• 10:41 Changes on the Wreck
• 12:55 Evolution of Safety and Planning 
• 16:40 Safety Takeaways
• 20:10 Bikini Atoll and Remote Diving
• 23:32 Wreck Diving’s Appeal
• 26:08 Diving Community in the Northeast US
• 29:13 Resources/Recommendations for Wreck Diving
• 31:58 Conclusion

Jim Elliott, founder and president of Diveheart, reflects on the organization’s 25-year journey advancing adaptive scuba diving and scuba therapy around the world. He discusses the evolution of Diveheart's mission, and plans for the organization's Deep Pool Project — a 130-foot, warm-water facility designed to expand adaptive scuba training and research opportunities.Diveheart specializes in team-based adaptive diving, using training and support systems designed to help individuals with disabilities safely experience the underwater world. The nonprofit has served thousands of participants, including veterans, individuals with autism, those with spinal cord injuries, and others with a range of physical and cognitive challenges.

Throughout the conversation, Jim shares inspiring stories that demonstrate the powerful impact underwater experiences can have on confidence, independence, and quality of life.To learn more about Diveheart, visit diveheart.org.0:00 Introduction 0:23 Jim’s Background1:21 Diveheart’s Mission2:48 Christ of the Abyss Statue 6:09 Diveheart YouTube7:14 Training Curriculum9:30 Getting Involved (For Dive Pros)10:55 Deep Pool Project15:08 Getting Involved (For Adaptive Divers)16:53 Scuba Therapy 19:30 Diving for Chronic Pain21:06 Diving with Autism 23:18 How Diveheart Meets Participants’ Needs28:19 Filmmaking with David Marsh32:45 Sharing Air Production38:08 Final Thoughts43:30 Conclusion

Bob Collins, SDI Instructor Ambassador, Divers Supply director of training, and EDGE-HOG Dive Gear director of professional development, joins The DANcast to share insights from a career spanning decades in dive training and equipment.

In this episode, he discusses independent scuba instruction, offers advice for new divers and dive professionals alike, and explains the importance of respecting your training, experience, and personal comfort limits.

To check out Bob's videos for Divers Supply, visit the company's YouTube channel at youtube.com/@DiversSupplyYT.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction
• 0:21 Background
• 5:05 Evolution of Training 
• 9:21 Scuba Instruction
• 15:24 Independent Instruction 
• 20:04 Bob’s YouTube Channels 
• 21:31 Changes in Scuba Gear
• 26:37 Knowing Your Limits
• 28:36 Engaging Youth
• 30:59 Wisdom for New Divers
• 36:06 Conclusion

The DANcast welcomes Ken Kurtis, chairman of USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber Day and owner of Reef Seekers Dive Co.

Ken reflects on how diving and dive safety have evolved since he was first certified in the 1970s, drawing on decades of experience as an instructor, dive business owner, and forensic consultant to the Los Angeles County coroner for scuba diving fatalities.

He discusses the mission behind Chamber Day, the largest single-day scuba industry fundraiser in the U.S., and how it helps keep the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber open and ready to serve divers 24/7/365. Along the way, Ken shares his perspective on accident prevention, common diver errors, and why preparation and awareness matter on every dive.

To learn more about USC Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber Day, visit chamberday.org.

• 0:00 Introduction
• 0:31 Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber
• 3:11 Chamber Day
• 4:36 Ken’s Career Journey
• 6:08 Evolution Of Dive Safety
• 9:00 Training And Certifications
• 13:03 Memorable Dives
• 15:39 Diving Accidents
• 23:17 Accident Prevention
• 25:15 Conclusion

What separates a scientific diver from a recreational one? Andrew Morgan, president of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), joins The DANcast to explore the task-focused world of scientific diving.

Andrew, who also serves as the marine operations and boating safety officer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, discusses how the AAUS builds consensus on safety and standards to support reciprocity between universities, government agencies, and other institutions that employ scientific divers. Morgan also highlights the crucial role aquariums play in conservation, from daily exhibit husbandry inspiring the public to active field research tackling California's kelp forest decline.

AAUS is a nonprofit, self-regulating body dedicated to establishing and maintaining standards of practice for scientific diving.

Learn more about the American Academy of Underwater Sciences at aaus.org. For information about the Monterey Bay Aquarium, visit montereybayaquarium.org.

Marina Inserra and Brittany Novick-Fischer, co-directors of Scuba Queen USA, join the podcast to discuss their mission to cultivate confident ocean ambassadors. This episode explores the organization's work selecting representatives for the Miss Scuba International competition and providing young women divers with opportunities for advocacy, outreach, and skill development.

Marina and Brittany share how they translated their backgrounds in marine biology and conservation into careers as flight attendants to facilitate their global diving and nonprofit work. They also discuss diving safety — including their experiences with knowing your limits and feeling confident in calling off a dive — as well as their goal to empower ambassadors from every state and their philosophy of “imperfect conservationists” making a collective impact.

Learn more about Scuba Queen USA at scubaqueenusa.com.

• 0:00 Introduction
• 3:36 Scuba Queen USA
• 5:10 Community Engagement and Ocean Ambassadors
• 9:42 Diving Experiences
• 14:20 Dive Safety
• 19:42 Underwater Photography and Modeling
• 22:56 Inclusion of Freedivers
• 24:18 Engaging Future Divers
• 26:28 Ocean Conservation
• 31:45 Conclusion

The DANcast welcomes James Blackman, co-owner of Miami Technical Diving and co-creator of Divers Ready!, a multimedia brand dedicated to practical diving education.

James’ diving career spans more than two decades and began in the cold waters of the English Channel. While serving in the British merchant marine, James used his shore leaves to dive and train around the world before transitioning to a full-time dive professional.

He has worked with dive shops and operators, served as a public safety diver, and taught as an independent instructor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he added “content creator” to that list by launching the Divers Ready YouTube channel to expand his reach and address real-world questions from the diving community.

The conversation delves into James’ decision to teach in a 1:1 or 1:2 student-to-instructor ratio, his specialties in technical diving, wreck diving, and rebreathers, the role of personal branding in the diving industry, and more.

To follow along with James and Divers Ready!, visit diversready.com.

0:00 Introduction to James Blackman

4:14 Launching Divers Ready!

6:34 Content Strategy

9:23 Connecting with Divers

12:19 DEMA Show

18:37 Teaching Philosophy

24:55 Top Divers Ready! Content

28:24 Personal Branding for Dive Pros

33:25 Conclusion and Future Endeavors

Technical diver Stratis Kas is the editor-in-chief of InDEPTH and the publisher of Close Calls. Inspired by the need for more open conversations about near-misses, Close Calls shares hard-earned lessons from prominent dive industry figures, and reminds readers that even the most advanced divers make and learn from mistakes.

In this episode with Frauke Tillmans, VP of research at DAN, Stratis also discusses his experiences as an exploration diver and a storyteller in the diving community — as well as his plans to carry forward InDEPTH’s mission to expand knowledge of what’s possible underwater and to spark dialogue across the diving world.

For more information about Close Calls and Stratis’ work, visit stratiskas.com. Read InDEPTH at indepthmag.com.

• 0:06-0:30 Introduction

• 0:30-3:22 Stratis's Journey into Diving and Exploration

• 3:22-4:52 Genesis of "Close Calls"

• 4:52-11:24 Mistakes in Diving

• 11:24-15:50 "Close Calls" and Other Projects

• 15:50-18:04 Stories in "Close Calls"

• 18:04-20:43 Gathering Contributions from Industry Leaders

• 20:43-25:50 InDEPTH Magazine

• 25:50-27:08 Conclusion

The DANcast welcomes Patrick Widmann, cave explorer, equipment innovator, and KISS Rebreathers’ training director. In this conversation with Frauke Tillmans, VP of research at DAN, Patrick reveals what it takes to explore Earth’s last frontiers beneath the surface.

Patrick discusses his landmark exploration work in Madagascar, where his team discovered Anjanamba (currently recognized as Africa’s longest submerged cave system) and paleontological sites featured in National Geographic and BBC documentaries. He shares the realities of expedition diving, including the thorough preparation, physical fitness, and technical skills behind the extraordinary discoveries the public sees.

He also shares his journey as co-owner of ProTec Dive Centers and his evolution into equipment manufacturing, from co-creating the xDEEP Stealth 2.0 sidemount system to his current work at KISS Rebreathers.

0:00 Introduction

2:06 Diving Career Path

4:15 Sidemount Equipment

6:16 Exploration and Safety in Cave Diving

10:25 International Expeditions and Collaborations

18:42 Team Dynamics in Cave Exploration

20:11 Challenges and Rewards of Expedition Diving

33:47 Equipment Design

43:13 DAN Support

44:28 Conclusion

In The DANcast’s Season 2 debut, Kenny Dyal of Sweetwater Scuba shares his journey from casual diver to dive pro, shop owner, and now full-time content creator. Kenny’s approach centers on positivity, community, and making diving fun and accessible – all with the goal of bringing more new divers into the underwater world. The conversation covers his work, his safety philosophy, and how the red hat accidentally became a signature part of his brand and viral videos.

Keep up with Kenny’s adventures and find links to his social media and The Scuba Diving Podcast at sweetwaterscuba.com.

Join us for a conversation with Chris Foisey, an Ontario-based dive professional, PADI AmbassaDiver, and creator of the Modern Diver channel. Since getting certified at 18, Chris has followed his passion to become a cold-water diving expert in the Great Lakes — where divers face depth, frigid temperatures, silty conditions, and other challenges that demand careful planning and safety preparation.

The episode explores his volunteer work with Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS), where he helps preserve seven historic wrecks by removing ghost nets, managing mooring systems, and more. Along the way, he's built an online community with educational content that bridges the gap between recreational and technical diving.

To follow along with Chris’ adventures, visit moderndiverchannel.com.

0:00 Introduction & Journey to Becoming a Diver

3:43 Building Modern Diver Channel

6:04 Content Creation

8:32 Safety

11:00 Great Lakes Diving

13:54 DAN Membership

15:57 Save Ontario Shipwrecks (SOS)

Dr. Clémence Michaud is a pediatric anesthesiologist at Necker Hospital, part of the Greater Paris University Hospitals network, and an attendee of the 2025 DAN/UHMS Spring Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine CME.

Her passion for diving began at age fifteen when she learned to dive in a lake in Luxembourg. While in medical school, she took a break to train as a diving instructor. As both her diving career and medical education advanced, she became an anesthesiologist specializing in pediatric care with a growing interest in hyperbaric medicine. Looking ahead, Dr. Michaud aims to combine her medical expertise and diving experience by expanding her knowledge in diving medicine, joining the DAN Physician Referral Network, and consulting on diving and children.

This episode was recorded at Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia during the DAN/UHMS Spring 2025 Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine CME. Attendees included Clémence Michaud, MD, Anesthesiologist and Intensive Care Physician, Necker Hospital, Greater Paris University Hospitals - AP-HP.

In this episode, Dr. Neal Pollock, associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and hyperbaric and diving research chair at Université Laval, joins Dr. Matias Nochetto, vice president of medical services at DAN. Dr. Pollock shares insights from his distinguished career in diving and hyperbaric medicine research and education, including his years with Duke University and DAN.

The conversation highlights the flying after diving project and its 2002 DAN workshop that established guidelines still recognized worldwide. They also discuss landmark initiatives like Project Dive Exploration, which collected hundreds of thousands of dive profiles to analyze decompression risk factors. In addition, Dr. Pollock addresses factors in decompression stress and the evolution toward personalized decompression approaches in dive planning.

0:00 Introduction and Career

2:04 Research Studies That Shaped Diving Guidelines

3:48 Flying After Diving

6:05 Understanding DAN's Data

9:50 Path from Aquatics to Diving Research

13:47 Project Dive Exploration

18:22 Dehydration and DCS

22:52 Personalized Decompression and Gradient Factors

28:30 Diving Medical Education

32:50 Hyperbaric Chambers

35:55 Continuous Learning

This episode was recorded at Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia during the DAN/UHMS Spring 2025 Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine CME. Faculty included Neal W. Pollock, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology, Hyperbaric and Diving Research Chair, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.

Dr. Christopher Logue, medical director and diving medical officer for the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center, joins JoAnn Perry, director of safety services and training at DAN.

Dr. Logue's passion for diving has shaped his career path, from his first job at a Great Lakes dive shop in the 1980s to his current role directing a hyperbaric and diving medicine program in Minneapolis. Their conversation covers medical evaluations for divers, practical ear equalization tips, and clinical applications of hyperbaric medicine for both diving injuries and other medical conditions. Dr. Logue also shares some of his own underwater adventures, like instructing ice diving and discovering a Prohibition-era whiskey bottle during a Niagara River drift dive.

This episode was recorded at Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia during the DAN/UHMS Spring 2025 Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine CME. Faculty included Christopher Logue, MD, Medical Director and Diving Medical Officer for the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine, Hennepin County Medical Center.

0:00 Introduction

0:20 Path to Diving

1:04 Career in Medicine

2:15 CME Topics

4:29 Understanding Hyperbaric Medicine

6:52 Signs of Decompression Sickness

7:50 Other Applications of Hyperbaric Medicine

10:05 Equalization

14:01 DAN/UHMS CME

14:57 Role of DAN

16:34 Clinical Hyperbaric Research

18:00 Favorite Diving Experiences

20:26 Cold Water Diving

21:59 Closing Thoughts

The DANcast welcomes Kirk Krack, human performance diver lead at DEEP and founder of Performance Freediving International (PFI). The 2016 DAN/Rolex Diver of the Year, Kirk has pioneered freediving safety through his advocacy of proper training and life-saving protocols.In this episode, he discusses the "one up, one down" buddy system, recovery breathing, equalization techniques, and more.

Kirk also shares insights into his "technical freediving" approach, which utilizes enriched oxygen mixes to mitigate hypoxia risk. He successfully implemented this method while training actors for James Cameron's "Avatar: The Way of Water," facilitating over 250,000 safe breath-hold dives during production.

Beyond freediving, the conversation also explores Kirk’s work at DEEP, an organization dedicated to "making humans aquatic" through the development of subsea habitats designed to transform marine exploration and research. Learn more at DEEP.com.

0:00 Introduction

0:50 Diving Background

2:47 Diving Industry Ventures

7:42 Freediving Safety and Training

18:05 Barotrauma and Equalization

23:46 DEEP

27:51 Technical Freediving

31:12 Human Performance in Diving

36:55 Future Directions

39:00 Conclusion

Michael Lang, Ph.D., research scientist and director of the Center of Excellence in Diving at UC San Diego, shares insights from his extraordinary career in marine science, scientific diving, and diving safety, which spans the Antarctic, Arctic, and beyond.

Michael’s achievements include leadership roles at premier institutions such as the Smithsonian, the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), UC San Diego, and more. His work has been recognized with the 1991 DAN/Rolex Diver of the Year award, among other distinctions.

Joined by Dr. Matias Nochetto, vice president of medical services at DAN, Michael discusses pioneering work in dive computer validation and scientific diver training, as well as advancing safety and knowledge sharing across the global diving community.

This episode was recorded at Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia during the DAN/UHMS Spring 2025 Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine CME. Faculty included Michael Lang, Ph.D., Center of Excellence in Diving, Emergency Medicine, University of California San Diego.

0:00 Introduction

0:45 Diving and Profesional Background

2:35 Connections to Diving Safety

4:13 Repetitive Diving and Dive Computers

11:11 Polar Diving and Extreme Environments

15:29 Experience as an Educator

17:55 Conclusion

Dr. Simon Mitchell, a renowned anesthesiologist, technical diver, and diving medicine researcher, shares his journey from a seaside childhood in New Zealand to leading academic and clinical roles in hyperbaric and diving medicine. In conversation with Dr. Matias Nochetto, vice president of medical services at DAN, Dr. Mitchell discusses his career path, recent decompression research, and the role of technical diving in advancing diving capabilities.

This episode was recorded at Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia during the DAN/UHMS Spring 2025 Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine CME. Faculty included Simon Mitchell, MB ChB, PhD, DipOccMed, DipAdvDHM (ANZCA), FUHM, FANZCA, Consultant Anaesthesiologist and Diving/Hyperbaric Physician Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology at the University of Auckland School of Medicine.

0:00 Introduction

1:18 Early Life and Career

3:35 Transition to Medicine and Diving Medicine

7:03 Academic and Clinical Career

8:39 DAN/UHMS CME

14:27 Connection with DAN

22:00 Diving Medicine Education and Research

25:47 Understanding Microparticles

32:27 Satisfaction of Sharing Knowledge

36:28 Reflections on Career Path

38:03 Advice for Aspiring Diving Medicine Professionals

39:13 Technical Diving and Paths for Divers

41:34 Conclusion

Physician, diver, and longtime educator Dr. Jim Holm joins JoAnn Perry, director of safety services and training at DAN, to discuss his 40-year career in emergency and hyperbaric medicine. From his early diving in California to treating dozens of decompression illness cases each year, Holm shares insights on chamber safety, immersion pulmonary edema, dive medicine education, and what it's like to put a sea turtle in a chamber. This episode was recorded at Anse Chastanet Resort in St. Lucia during the DAN/UHMS Spring 2025 Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine CME. Faculty included James "Jim" Holm, MD, FACP, FACEP, FUHM, emeritus physician at the Center for Hyperbaric Medicine at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

00:14 Introduction

02:26 Medical Specialization and Hyperbaric Facilities

05:57 Diving Cases and Treatment Statistics

07:23 Evaluating Diving Emergencies

09:29 Continuing Medical Education (CME) Courses

14:23 Divers' Chamber Experiences

19:40 CME Lecture Topics

21:21 Immersion Pulmonary Edema

23:02 Treating a Turtle in a Chamber

24:42 DAN's Role

26:54 Future of CME

30:10 Safety Protocols in Hyperbaric Chambers

32:30 Accessibility of Suitable Hyperbaric Chamber Facilities

33:40 Conclusion

Myles Schwartz, California-based PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and host of the Free Descent podcast, joins DAN to discuss balancing safety and storytelling as a young dive professional. From calling off dives in challenging surf to encouraging students to become DAN members, Myles shares how experience, mentorship, and community shape her approach both in the water and behind the microphone.

To follow Myles and Free Descent, visit @freedescentpodcast on Instagram or find the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms.

0:00 Introduction

1:07 Storytelling and Diving

1:58 Path to Diving and Content Creation

4:21 Safety as a Dive Pro and Content Creato

6:52 Experiences Shaping Safety Mindset

13:26 Experiences with DAN

15:30 Conclusion

Claude Smith, DAN Instructor Trainer, SSI Instructor Certifier, and leader of Diventures' Diving Operations Safety Training program, joins Francois Burman, VP of safety services at DAN, to discuss their partnership.

The professional training program focuses on proactive risk management to identify and mitigate technical and operational hazards. Claude shares his teaching experiences and how the program helps dive professionals create safer environments through education and awareness.

Learn more about this professional training partnership at diventures.com/scuba/diving-operations-safety/

0:00 Introduction to Dive Safety Training

1:24 Evolution of the Program

2:26 Course Structure

5:07 Empowering Dive Professionals Through Education

8:00 Importance of Staff Health and Safety1

3:25 Breathing Gas Quality

17:39 Practical Training

19:43 Demystifying Recompression Chambers

21:44 Understanding Equipment

25:00 Swiss Cheese Model of Safety

27:17 The Value of Education

29:17 Risks of Sun Exposure for Dive Professionals

32:40 Trust and Responsibility in Diving

36:13 Intuitive Safety Practices

41:29 Creating a Culture of Safety

48:17 Conclusion

Rosie Poirier, creative director at Ocean Minded Media, combines her passions for creativity and the underwater world. On The DANcast, she recounts her journey from her first Great Lakes dive to becoming an instructor and marine scientist, and shares her approach to situational awareness and personal safety when diving. Through art, storytelling, and photography, she inspires others to see themselves as part of the ocean's story and take action to protect it.

To learn more about Rosie and her work, visit rosiepoirier.com.
0:00 Introduction

0:36 Path to Diving

4:00 Diving for Recreation, Science, and More

6:44 Safety Mindset in Diving

11:48 Becoming a DAN Member

15:07 Communicating Through Creative Media

17:13 Connecting Humanity with the Ocean

22:37 Conclusion

Tec Clark, associate director for aquatics and scuba diving at Nova Southeastern University, brings more than 30 years of scuba diving instruction experience. His conversation with JoAnn Perry, director of safety services and training at DAN, explores instructor training and risk management. Tec shares key protocols and mantras that guide his teaching philosophy, from lesson pacing and continuing education to EAPs and the value of asking questions.

Learn more about Tec Clark at ScubaGuru.com.

0:00 Introduction

0:30 Industry Challenges

1:51 Training Standards

5:18 Skill Mastery

7:26 Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning

9:34 Professional Liability

14:55 Negligence18:23 Duty of Care

20:54 Risk Management Education

26:25 Effective Emergency Action Plans (EAPs)

29:34 Instructor Communications

33:44 Empowering Instructors to Make Safe Decisions

38:00 Prioritizing Safety

41:03 Training Models

48:36 Continuing Education for Dive Professionals

52:53 Conclusion

Dawn Kernagis, director of scientific research at DEEP, traces her path from childhood ocean enthusiast to accomplished diver and researcher. Her passion for underwater exploration and dive medicine drives her work in advancing human performance in extreme environments.

Following collaborations with Duke University, DAN, and other institutions—plus roles at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition and UNC Neurosurgery, as well as serving as crew for NASA's NEEMO 21 saturation diving mission—she now leads underwater habitat research at DEEP while inspiring future generations of undersea researchers.

0:00 Introduction

0:52 Early Diving

6:11 Academic and Career Journey

14:57 DEEP

16:21 DAN Mission

18:42 “Making Humans Aquatic”

28:19 Careers in Dive Research

31:32 Closing Thoughts

The DANcast welcomes Liz Parkinson, underwater stunt performer and dive professional, who shares her path from competitive swimming to scuba and freediving – and her evolution into training and safety roles for underwater productions, including James Cameron’s "Avatar: The Way of Water" and Marvel Studios' "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Together with Stephen Frink, publisher of Alert Diver, Liz shares insights on helping on-camera talent achieve their best underwater work while staying safe.

0:00 Introduction

1:07 Path to Diving

2:56 Training Actors for Underwater Scenes

7:00 Safety Protocols on Set

9:03 Collaboration with Photographers

13:09 Experiences with Sharks and Freediving

16:00 Underwater Motion Capture

20:00 Importance of Training

21:25 Considerations in Freediving vs. Scuba

25:33 Ocean Conservation and Shark Advocacy

29:38 Upcoming Projects

33:22 Conclusion

Patrick Danko, dive product champion at Garmin, joins The DANcast to discuss the intersection of technology and research-backed data in diving safety. In conversation with Camilo Saraiva, VP of claims and assistance services at DAN, Patrick shares his diving journey and highlights Garmin's dive products — particularly their "dive readiness" feature that analyzes biometric data like sleep quality, stress levels, and hydration to help users assess their physical readiness before diving.

For more information about Garmin's dive products and technologies, visit garmin.com/garmin-technology/dive-science/.

Jason Leggatt, CEO of Shearwater Research, joins Frauke Tillmans, VP of research at DAN. Their conversation explores the company’s approach to safety in dive computer design and manufacturing. Jason discusses Shearwater’s 20-year journey from its technical diving roots to offering innovative products for all divers.

For more information about Shearwater Research, visit shearwater.com.

Michael Menduno, editor of InDEPTH Magazine, and Frauke Tillmans, VP of research at DAN, discuss rebreather diving in this episode of The DANcast. Their conversation explores emerging rebreather technologies, mouthpiece retaining straps (MRSs), pre-dive checklists, Rebreather Forum 4, and other topics — including cardiac health considerations and helium supply challenges facing the technical diving community.