Divers Alert Network

What happens when a ray can generate up to 220 volts and 30 amps of electricity? ⚡

Found in temperate and tropical waters around the world (and increasingly in inshore areas of the North Atlantic), torpedo rays are among the ocean's most enigmatic predators. These heavily camouflaged bottom dwellers use electrogenic organs to hunt prey and defend themselves.

Often buried in sand or resting on the seafloor, they can react quickly when disturbed, delivering powerful shocks capable of incapacitating fish and, in rare cases, injuring divers.

Because they can be difficult to spot, accidental contact is one of the biggest risks. Good buoyancy control, situational awareness, avoiding unnecessary interaction, and maintaining a respectful distance can help prevent dangerous encounters.

Read the full story in Alert Diver: dan.org/torpedo-rays/

✍️ Chris Harvey-Clark, DVM
📷 Lloyd Bond

Dive gloves are not one-size-fits-all. The right gloves depend on the type of diving you do, the water temperature, and the level of protection you need. 🧤

From thin tropical gloves designed for dexterity to dry-glove systems for cold-water drysuit diving, every option involves trade-offs between warmth, dexterity, and protection.

A few of the factors to consider when choosing gloves:

FIT | Gloves that are too loose can allow water to circulate freely and reduce warmth. Gloves that are too tight may restrict circulation and affect comfort.

THICKNESS | Thicker gloves generally provide greater thermal protection, but the added insulation can reduce dexterity and impact your ability to communicate with hand signals, operate equipment, clip and unclip gear, or use a dive computer underwater.

PROTECTION | In some environments, gloves can provide an important barrier against sharp objects and other underwater hazards. However, gloves are not a license to touch marine life or underwater structures. Some dive destinations prohibit gloves because they can create a false sense of security and may encourage contact with delicate marine ecosystems.

The best way to become more comfortable with gloves is to train while wearing them. Familiarizing your hands and brain with manipulating objects while wearing gloves can help prepare you for a variety of diving conditions.

Read more in Alert Diver: dan.org/hand-protection/

✍️ Frauke Tillmans, Ph.D.
📷 1-2) Becky Kagan Schott, 3) Stephen Frink

Do you know what goes into your nitrox fill? 🤔

Before divers enjoy the benefits of reduced nitrogen absorption and extended no-decompression limits, nitrox must first be produced by adding oxygen to or removing nitrogen from ambient air. Dive operators typically use membrane systems, partial pressure blending, or continuous blending. Each method has its own advantages and safety considerations.

For dive operators, safe nitrox production depends on trained fill station personnel, oxygen-compatible, oxygen-clean equipment, and attention to detail throughout the filling process. For divers, safe nitrox use depends on knowing what’s in your cylinder before you dive it.

Before every nitrox dive:
💨 Analyze your cylinder.
% Verify the oxygen percentage.
✍️ Label it with your name, mix, date, and maximum operating depth (MOD).
✅ Dive the gas you’ve personally verified.

Nitrox cylinders can look alike, and mix-ups can happen in the compressor room, at the dive site, and beyond. The only way to be certain what’s in a cylinder is through individual analysis and marking.

Read Nitrox Production Methods by Mike Welch in the Q3 2026 issue of Alert Diver magazine: dan.org/nitrox-production-methods/

The DANcast has reached 50 episodes! 🎙️🤿 What’s been your favorite episode so far?

Since launching in early 2025, DAN’s podcast has grown into a trusted platform for diving knowledge and storytelling, supporting our educational mission through conversations that combine practical safety insights with real-world experiences.

Check out some of The DANcast's most popular episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhr_YHqKReC_3iNYgYlRDv812C-3rifk-

• Michael Lang, UC San Diego Center of Excellence in Diving
• Patrick Widmann, KISS Rebreathers | Cave Diving Explorer
• James Blackman, Divers Ready
• Mike Dudas, Technical Wreck Diver
• Kenny Dyal, Sweetwater Scuba
• Howard and Michele Hall, Underwater Filmmakers
• Dr. Simon Mitchell, University of Auckland School of Medicine
• Armando Gonzalez & John Villareal, Bottom Dwellers Dive Shack
• Aviad Cahana, Avelo Labs
• Jason Leggatt, Shearwater Research

Thank you to everyone who has listened, shared an episode with a dive buddy, or joined us as a guest over the show’s first two seasons.

To read the announcement and find links to listen, visit: https://dan.org/safety-prevention/diver-safety/divers-blog/dan-podcast-50-episodes/

The DANcast The DANcast, the official podcast of Divers Alert Network (DAN), delivers safety insights through engaging conversations with divers from across the industry...

Guido Wätzig, CEO of Scuba Schools International (SSI) joined The DANcast to share his journey from teenage dive instructor to leader of one of the largest dive training agencies.

He discusses SSI's commitment to safety, education, and the principles behind the SSI Diver Diamond, including personal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and emergency preparedness.

The conversation also covers SSI's partnership with DAN through the Powered by DAN program, which integrates the skills and standards of DAN's first aid, CPR, oxygen administration, and basic life support courses into SSI's first aid training.

▶️ Watch the full episode:

Guido Wätzig, SSI Guido Wätzig, CEO of Scuba Schools International (SSI; ...

While preparing for a shore dive, Val Marino and her buddy, Larry Berlin, noticed another diver from their group signaling for help. Berlin immediately entered the surf to assess the situation, while Marino alerted a bystander to be ready to call 911 if needed. Moments later, Berlin called for help.

As Marino rushed through the waves, she realized this was far more than a tired diver needing a tow to shore. The diver was unresponsive, with unfocused eyes and yellow foam pouring from their nose and mouth. After Berlin removed the diver’s equipment, Marino helped bring the diver through the surf and onto the beach, where she shifted from rescue to emergency response.

Drawing on years of CPR, first aid, and DAN training, Marino assessed the diver’s responsiveness, breathing, and pulse before beginning CPR. After EMS was activated, a bystander who identified herself as a nurse stepped in to help, and together they provided continuous care until paramedics arrived. The diver was transported to the hospital and ultimately made a full recovery.

In the weeks that followed, Marino grappled with the emotional impact of responding to a dive emergency. As a DAN Instructor, she shares those lessons with other divers, and emphasizes that emergency preparedness is part of being a responsible diver and dive buddy. Staying current with first aid, CPR, and emergency response training builds the confidence and competence to act when the unexpected happens.

Read the full story, When Training Takes Over, in Alert Diver: dan.org/when-training-takes-over/

(Note: The photos accompanying this story recreate the sequence of events and were produced after the incident occurred.)

As you ascend to altitude, the surrounding atmospheric pressure drops. This reduction in pressure can cause residual nitrogen dissolved in your tissues from diving to form bubbles, increasing the risk of decompression sickness (DCS).

Keep these recommended minimum preflight surface intervals in mind when planning dive travel:
• Single-day, no-decompression dive → 12 hours minimum
• Multiple days of diving or repetitive no-decompression dives → 18 hours minimum
• Dives requiring mandatory decompression stops or using heliox or trimix → 24 hours minimum

Extending your surface interval before flying provides an additional safety margin and may further reduce your risk of DCS.

✈️🔗 For guidelines on flying after diving, visit dan.org/flying-after-diving/.

Note: These recommendations apply to divers who are not experiencing DCS symptoms and who will be flying at typical commercial aircraft cabin altitudes of 2,000–8,000 feet (610–2,438 m). If you experience any signs or symptoms of DCS, avoid flying and seek medical evaluation immediately.

The DANcast recently welcomed NAUI Worldwide representatives Beth Postell and Victoria Gonzalez. Together, they discuss NAUI’s history as the 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.

▶️ Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/w2Q1aQ_Ebfg. (Also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.)

Beth Postell & Victoria Gonzalez, NAUI Worldwide The DANcast welcomes NAUI Worldwide representatives Beth Postell, v...