Divers Alert Network

Does DAN provide the interns any training?
Yes, the interns are brought to DAN Headquarters in mid-May for a weeklong seminar in diving physiology and research methodology. They will also become familiarized with the DAN mission and various research projects so they will be able to communicate the importance of dive research for improving the safety of recreational diving. They will also meet their mentors at this time and learn about the projects in which they will be involved and what is expected of them in more detail.

What is the schedule for a typical internship season?
The Internship is organized into three sections:

1. Academic and professional training course at DAN Headquarters (end of May or early June)

This one-week course includes lectures on DAN, diving physiology, research methodology and diving injury management. In addition, the Interns receive training and certification in CPR, first aid and oxygen provision, if not currently certified. Interns will be oriented in the specific projects in which they will be involved.

2. Field data collection or laboratory experience at Duke

After the one-week training course at DAN, interns will be placed with their mentors or host facilities. The duration of the internship will vary depending on the requirements of the project and the time period decided on between the interns and their mentors.
Field Experience:Interns typically will remain in residence for two to three months and collect dive profile data. Daily activities will include briefing divers about PDE, completing daily interviews with divers, entering dive profile and diver history data into the computer, downloading dive computers, spending time on the dive boats and interacting with divers. Interns will submit dive profile data to DAN weekly over the Internet and will communicate with the intern administrator at DAN through weekly activity logs. Interns are expected to work a minimum of five days per week collecting data. The number of divers from whom an intern would collect data daily would be mutually determined and agreed upon by the intern, DAN Research and the tempo of the host facility.
Laboratory Experience: Interns will be assigned a mentor who will guide their experience with the realities of conducting environmental physiology research. Students will be involved in as many aspects of the process as is practical (including subject and data management, technical writing and project development). Interns may work on a variety of projects or focus on one specific project to gain experience. The focus and depth of experience possible is influenced by the duration and timing of the internship period. The minimum duration is three months as a full-time commitment. Arrangements regarding length of each internship term will be negotiated between the mentor and the intern beforehand.

3. Debriefing (late-August)

Upon completion of the data collection period, Interns will conduct a debriefing with the Internship Program Coordinator either at DAN or by telephone. Final data organization and summary will be finished, equipment will be turned in, and a written review of their experience completed (all or part of the written review may be used in DAN publications). Interns may also participate in a question/answer session with Research department staff either at DAN or over the telephone.

What topics are covered during the training week at DAN Headquarters?
These are some of the topics covered during the training week at DAN Headquarters.

Research:

Introduction to Internship Program
Tour of DAN Headquarters
Seminars on diving safety and decompression illness, including:
PDE Data Collection
PDE Practice Session

Divers Alert Network:

Overview of DAN Mission / Volunteering
Business Membership Brief
Medical Services Department Brief
Training Department Brief
Membership / Insurance Department Brief
Partners in Dive Safety Program
Fund-Raising Efforts of DAN
Professionalism in the Field
Oxygen Provider Course
CPR and First Aid

I am not a certified diver. Can I still apply for the internship?
No. Interns must be certified scuba divers because they will be interacting with divers and soliciting volunteers for a research project on dive safety. Please note, however, that diving is not a required activity during the internship.

Is diving required during the internship?
No. Diving is not a requirement in this research-based program. However, interns are offered diving activities from their host facilities.

If I am accepted, can I choose the host site location I want to go to?
The internship coordinator is responsible for matching interns with host sites. While there is some flexibility to accommodate special circumstances, in the interest of fairness to all candidates the matching process will be at the discretion of the Research department. Matching interns with location and mentor is based on the abilities and qualifications of the intern, diving knowledge, diving experience and previous exposure to the diving industry in any capacity (as an employee, instructor, volunteer, etc.). Special skills of the intern such as computer skills, languages and/or specialized certifications are also taken into consideration when matching interns with host facilities.

Will I be an employee of Divers Alert Network during the internship?
No. DAN Research interns are volunteers for the research department and for DAN. Although interns are given a stipend to cover living expenses, they are not salaried employees.

Are there any publications about the internship program that I can refer to?
Various articles and scientific presentations have been written about the DAN Research Internship Program.

I am not a college or medical student. Can I still apply?
Applicants to this program must be pursuing an educational goal. Interns can be chosen from undergraduate, graduate (M.S. and Ph.D.), medical programs, recent graduates (within the past year) or accepted for further academic studies.

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