Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries

DAN's Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries Provider Course was designed to fill the void in oxygen first aid training available for the general diving public.

This course represents entry level training designed to educate the general diving (and qualified non-diving) public in recognizing possible dive related injuries and providing emergency oxygen first aid while activating the local emergency medical services (EMS) and/or arranging for evacuation to the nearest available medical facility.

In DAN's most recent dive accident record, less than 33% of injured divers received emergency oxygen in the field. Few of those received oxygen concentrations approaching the recommended 100%. DAN and all major diving instructional agencies recommend that all divers be qualified to provide 100% oxygen in the field to those injured in a dive accident.

Objectives
The course is designed to train and educate the general diving public in the techniques of using oxygen as first aid for a suspected dive injury. In addition, this course will introduce novice divers to the fundamentals of recognizing diving injury warning signs, response and management. This program also provides an excellent opportunity for experienced divers and instructors to continue their education.

The DAN Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries course is not designed to train lay persons to provide oxygen to the general public. While the medical standards and equipment are the same regarding the emergency use of oxygen for both divers and non-divers, the DAN Oxygen Provider course does not prepare individuals to respond to the ill or injured member of the general public by using emergency oxygen.

Learning Objectives
Course participants must be familiar with the signs and symptoms of major diving injuries including near drowning and decompression illnesses (arterial gas embolism and decompression sickness).

Course participants must demonstrate proper deployment, assembly, disassembly, and use of all components of the DAN Oxygen Unit. This includes use of the demand inhalator valve / mask, constant flow (delivering oxygen at least 15 lpm), non-rebreather mask and oronasal resuscitation mask with supplemental oxygen inlet.

Course participants must complete the DAN Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries examination with a minimum passing score of 80 percent. The instructor will review the examination with each participant to ensure 100 percent understanding of the material.

Skill Performance Objectives
To successfully complete the DAN Oxygen Provider course, participants must demonstrate skill and confidence during deployment, assembly and disassembly of all parts of the DAN Oxygen Unit (or other acceptable units).

The course participant must demonstrate skill and confidence while providing emergency
oxygen to simulated injured divers by:
Assessing the scene and oxygen provider safety
Deploying and operating the DAN Oxygen Unit
Selecting and preparing the appropriate oxygen mask

Operating the DAN Oxygen Unit and using these oxygen delivery devices:
Demand inhalator valve and mask
Constant-flow, non-rebreather mask
Oronasal resuscitation mask with supplemental oxygen inlet

Identification of the main components of the DAN Oxygen Unit:
Jumbo D cylinder and valve
Multi-function regulator
T handle
Handwheel/wrench
Oxygen washer
Constant-flow controller
Intermediate (green) pressure hose
Pressure activated check valve (in threaded outlet)
Demand inhalator valve
Oronasal mask Non-rebreather mask
Oronasal resuscitation mask with supplemental oxygen inlet