Divers using Garmin inReach satellite communicators can now add their Divers Alert Network membership details to their emergency information, allowing Garmin Response and DAN to coordinate more directly when a diving-related emergency occurs.
The arrangement, announced by Garmin on 9 September, is intended to connect the company’s international emergency-response infrastructure with DAN’s specialist diving medical expertise. For divers travelling beyond reliable mobile coverage, it could help ensure that the right information reaches the right people when assistance is needed.
How the New Arrangement Works
Divers with an inReach device and an active inReach subscription can add their DAN membership number to the Emergency Notes section of their account. If they subsequently trigger an SOS during a diving-related emergency, Garmin Response can use that information to coordinate with DAN, provided the diver’s DAN membership is active.
Garmin Response remains responsible for coordinating the immediate emergency response, including communication with local rescue organisations and other available resources. DAN can contribute specialist medical advice and assistance as the incident moves towards treatment and recovery.
The distinction matters. A rescue at sea and the medical management of a diving injury are related, but they are not necessarily the same problem. Locating a casualty, arranging transport and identifying appropriate treatment may involve different organisations and expertise.
Garmin’s official announcement of the collaboration describes the new arrangement as a way for Garmin Response and DAN to communicate on behalf of their customers during diving emergencies.
What DAN Can Contribute
DAN’s role extends beyond providing an emergency telephone number. Its medical assistance services can help assess diving-related injuries, advise treating physicians, identify suitable medical facilities and hyperbaric chambers, and assist with medical transportation where appropriate.
That specialist knowledge can be particularly important when a diver is being treated somewhere with limited experience of diving medicine. The immediate priority may be to reach safety, but decisions about subsequent care can also be time-sensitive.
DAN operates a 24-hour emergency assistance service for divers and medical professionals. Its emergency assistance information explains how its medical team can work with local healthcare providers and assist with the coordination of appropriate care.
The new Garmin arrangement does not replace those services. It provides another way for relevant information to reach DAN when an inReach SOS has been activated.
Why This Matters for Remote Diving
Satellite communication is particularly valuable where ordinary mobile coverage cannot be relied upon. That includes remote islands, offshore dive sites, expedition locations and some liveaboard itineraries.
Garmin Response operates around the clock and can receive an interactive SOS, obtain the device’s location, communicate with the person requesting assistance and contact appropriate emergency responders. The centre can also access emergency information stored in the user’s account.
Adding DAN membership details means that diving-specific assistance can be considered as part of that existing response process rather than relying entirely on someone at the scene to locate membership information and make separate arrangements.
It does not remove the need for a dive operator’s emergency action plan, suitable communications equipment or appropriate evacuation arrangements. Nor does it guarantee that rescue resources will be immediately available in every location.
What Divers Need to Do Before Travelling
The new arrangement requires some preparation. Divers should not assume that owning an inReach device or holding DAN membership automatically links the two services.
Garmin says active DAN members should add their membership number to the Emergency Notes section of their inReach account. The company’s Emergency Notes support instructions explain how to access and update that information through Garmin Explore.
The current Garmin Explore instructions are to sign in, select Account, choose Edit next to the account holder’s name, enter the relevant information in Emergency Notes and save the changes. Garmin also provides alternative account-management routes for some devices and applications, so users should follow the instructions applicable to their own equipment.
Before a remote dive trip, it is sensible to check that the inReach subscription is active, emergency contacts are current and the DAN membership details have been entered correctly. Divers should also familiarise themselves with the device’s SOS procedure before an emergency occurs.
An SOS From the Surface, Not Underwater
The announcement should not be interpreted as introducing an underwater satellite emergency beacon.
Garmin illustrates the arrangement using an inReach Mini 3 Plus with a Dive Case, with the SOS transmitted from the surface. Satellite communication requires suitable conditions for the device to establish a connection, including an appropriate view of the sky.
The new DAN integration concerns the information and assistance available once an SOS reaches Garmin Response. It does not change the fundamental operating requirements of the satellite communicator.
Membership and Insurance Are Different
The collaboration also does not create new insurance coverage or alter the terms of a diver’s existing DAN benefits.
DAN membership and dive accident insurance should not be treated as interchangeable. Medical transportation, evacuation assistance and financial coverage depend on the individual’s membership, insurance arrangements and applicable terms.
Divers should check their own regional DAN membership and insurance documentation before travelling, particularly when planning remote or international diving.
A Practical Addition to the Emergency Chain
Garmin and DAN have previously worked alongside each other on dive-safety initiatives, but this announcement introduces a more specific connection between Garmin’s emergency-response process and DAN’s medical assistance services.
For divers who already carry an inReach and maintain DAN membership, the immediate action is straightforward: make sure the membership information is included in the account’s Emergency Notes.
It is a small piece of preparation that could make it easier for emergency coordinators to identify the specialist support available when a diving incident occurs.
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