Pre-DEMA: CD Update and PADI Live!

Posted on by jon

It’s going to be a crazy week.   It started yesterday with some pre-DEMA PADI programs: the 2011 Course Director Update and PADI Live!

 

The Course Director update covered a lot.   What’s new with Project AWARE, evaluation training for knowledge development presentations, instructor development updates, new programs like Sidemount Diver and Recreational Rebreathers, a glimpse into how business looks for the industry and more.

Project AWARE relaunched this year with two long term objectives on marine debris and shark conservation.   As divers, we have a great opportunity to see change as well as see a permanent record of what people have done to the planet.   We are in a unique position to not just observe, but to share that with others.   Check out the Dive Against Debris and Shark Conservation information at www.projectaware.org

One of the cool things in Instructor Development is that PADI’s Dive Theory online will credit towards the theory exams at PADI Instructor Exams starting next year.   That means rather than sitting for the Dive Theory exams (Physics, Physiology, Equipment, Recreational Dive Planner and Dive Skills & The Environment), a candidate can present an eLearning record and just take a Quick Review quiz at the IE.   I’m not sure exactly when this will happen, but it’s slated for early next year.

Sidemount and Rebreathers–wow!   This has come a long way.   I have to admit I still view Sidemount as more of a Tec diving thing, but it might open up a lot of doors for people with back problems.   There’s no requirement that a diver has to carry their gear long distances or in a position that might hurt them.   Sidemount, with tanks slung along your sides, might open diving to a whole group of people that weren’t able to handle a tank on their back.   I can see I’ll be taking Chris Langehaug’s Sidemount class when I get back to Utah.

Rebreathers have also come a long way.   I’m hoping to get a glimpse of some of the new Recreational Rebreathers at DEMA this year.   The rebreathers themselves are more complicated devices, but that makes them easier for the diver to use.   A simplified way to determine if there are problems, a short list of what to do if there is a problem and a fun way to dive–with out bubbles!

 

PADI Live!  (with red carpet and all) was a great program.   Drew Richardson gave us a good look at the Dive Industry and reminded us all that we’ve the best jobs in the world.   We get to explore that 70% of the planet covered with water and we get to share it with others.   For me, I’ve always wanted to be an astronaut.   Ok, NASA isn’t going to hire me, so the way I get to be weightless is in the water.   Drew told us about an astronaut that is on the International Space Station.   He’s a PADI Instructor and he thinks and dreams about diving while in space!    That makes me think I’ve the better job (I’d still try the astronaut gig if I had the chance).

It was awesome to see my friend Peter from Abyss Scuba be recognized for all he’s doing.   Peter was in my Course Director Training Course and he’s a great example of how to succeed in this industry.   Congrats, Peter!

Time to head to the Orange County Convention Center…DAN Instructor/Trainer Update this morning.

On-Site Neurological Exam for Divers

Posted on by jon

Many cases of Decompression Sickness (DCS) involve neurological complications.   The two DCS cases I saw during my Diver Medical Technician course on Roatan made that abundantly clear.   Often, we dive far from medical help.   Transportation to medical care can take time.  To help the physicians and medics, getting a baseline of the patients neurological symptoms is key.   Sometimes, people don’t even notice they have symptoms unless you point them out.  They might also try to deny they have symptoms.  The DAN Neuro course helps on both fronts.

Skills Development

  • Taking a History
  • Taking vital signs
  • Mental Function
    • Consciousness
    • Speech and Language
    • Orientation to Time and Place
    • Judgment
    • Short-term Memory
    • Abstract Reasoning
    • Calculations
  • Cranial Nerves
    • Eye Control
    • Facial Control
    • Facial Sensation
    • Hearing
  • Motor Function
    • Shoulders
    • Biceps
    • Triceps
    • Finger spread
    • Grip strength
    • Hip flexors
    • Quadriceps
    • Hamstrings
    • Feet
  • Sensory Function
    • Light Touch
    • Sharp Touch
  • Balance and Coordination
    • Walking
    • Finger-Nose-Finger

DAN Courses–The Basics

Posted on by jon

DAN Courses: Dive Safety training for all divers

DAN Courses for divers include a variety of dive safety and emergency response programs.   They include Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries, Advanced Oxygen First Aid, Hazardous Marine Life Injuries, AED for Scuba, and others.  Here are the four most important DAN courses:

 

Oxygen First Aid
Learn how to provide emergency oxygen first aid. Hands-on training includes assembling an oxygen unit, using a demand-valve mask, a non-rebreater mask and an oronasal resuscitation mask with supplemental oxygen.
The PADI Distinctive specialty “Oxygen First Aid” is also included!

Advanced Oxygen First Aid
Additional training for DAN Oxygen providers. Hands-on training includes using a manually triggered ventilator (MTV-100) and a Bag Valve Mask(BVM) while providing care for a non-breathing injured diver.

Hazardous Marine Life Injuries
Learn how to provide first aid for a diver injured by hazardous marine life. Topics include envenomations, bites, irritations and poisoning. Hands-on training includes techniques for controlling bleeding, applying dressings and bandages to manage wounds and the pressure immobilzation technique.
The PADI Distinctive Specialty “Marine Life Injuries” is also included!

lionfish

Lionfish--particularly venomous and invasive

AED for Scuba
Learn to recognize the signs of sudden cardiac arrest and administer first aid using Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillators(AEDs). Hands-on training includes CPR review, providing care with an AED, maintaining an AED and emergency assistance planning.
The PADI Distinctive specialty “AED for Divers” is also included!

Diving Emergency Management Provider
Often times, a dive emergency is not a single event. Typically, several small problems compound to create a larger problem. Diving Emergency Management Provider integrates content from the Oxygen First Aid, First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life injuries, AEDs for SCUBA and Advanced Oxygen First Aid into a single course.
All three PADI Distinctive Specialties “Oxygen First Aid”, “AED for Divers” and “Marine Life Injuries” are included!

 

NOTE:  DAN updated their curriculum in 2011.   As soon as the revised materials are available, I’ll update the content on this page.

CPR guideline changes

Posted on by jon

In October 2010, guidelines for CPR were changed.   It’s now C-A-B, circulation, airway, breathing.

This does not mean your prior training is out of date, it just means that the latest research shows the new guidelines may be more effective in helping patients.

Contact me to sign up for a refresher today.  If it’s been more than 2 years since your last CPR course, you’re overdue!

Emergency First Response (CPR/First Aid)

Posted on by jon

Emergency First Response (EFR) consists of Primary Care(CPR) and Secondary Care(First Aid). CPR(cardiopulmonary resuscitation) covers life-threatening situations starting with the C-A-B’s, circulation, airway and breathing   [2010 Guidelines] including defibrillation, shock management, spinal injury management and serious bleeding management.    First Aid is used for non-life threatening injuries when EMS is delayed or unavailable.

The Emergency First Response course is open to anyone of any age with an interest in helping others.

Primary Care(CPR) training includes:

  • Scene Assessment
  • Barrier Use(pocket mask & gloves)
  • Primary Assessment
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • Serious bleeding management
  • Shock management
  • Spinal injury management
  • Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training
  • Assisting a conscious choking adult
  • Emergency Oxygen

Secondary Care (first aid) training includes:

  • Injury Assessment
  • Illness Assessment
  • Bandaging
  • Splinting for dislocations and fractures

With the self-study materials, we can spend most of the class time actually doing the skills, which is the best way to learn CPR and First Aid. In many cases, with self-study, the course can be done in about 4-5 hours. Emergency First Response courses can be customized if you need a certain number of contact hours.

Course materials (manual, DVD, pocket mask and gloves) are included.