Emergency Action Plans: Why You Need One (and What It Should Include)
From one-day dive trips in the Straits to multi-day liveaboards off Isle Royale, the Sea Snoopers have been busy this season. While divers often focus on descent and ascent, it’s just as important to consider what happens if things go sideways. Emergencies do happen, and being prepared is a critical part of planning your dive. When stress and confusion hit, a solid Emergency Action Plan (EAP) helps you respond quickly, calmly, and effectively.
What’s an EAP?
It’s a simple, step-by-step plan that outlines what to do, who to call, and where to go if something goes wrong before, during, or after a dive. This could be anything from a marine life injury, to decompression sickness, to a lost diver.
What’s included in an EAP?
Here’s a recommendation for developing an EAP (not all-inclusive):
✅ 1. Location Details
Include the exact dive site name, GPS coordinates if possible, and any landmarks that help emergency services find you fast.
📞 2. Emergency Contacts
List local emergency numbers (not just 911), the nearest recompression chamber, coast guard, DAN (Divers Alert Network), and the nearest hospital with emergency care. Save them in your phone and on paper—waterproof is even better.
🚑 3. Evacuation Plan
How will you get someone out if needed? Boat, beach, helicopter? Know your exits and how far help is. Time matters.
🧰 4. Emergency Equipment
Do you have an O2 kit? First aid kit? AED? Make sure it’s functional and that at least one person knows how to use it properly.
👥 5. Roles & Responsibilities
Who’s calling for help? Who’s administering O2? Who’s keeping an eye on the rest of the group? Don’t assume—assign.
📝 6. Medical Information
Keep a record of diver health info, allergies, and insurance details. If a diver is unconscious or unable to speak, this info is gold.
What resources are available?
As you would expect, Diver’s Alert Network has EAP resources available to divers. Below you will find links to E-learning and YouTube videos on the topic. I have saved the form to the club’s Google account (link below).
DAN’s Fillable PDF –
I experimented with the form to prepare an EAP for a Port Sanilac dive (see below). It’s a good tool for sparking ideas and organizing your emergency response. I appreciated the visual design of a flowchart, the dropdown features and the ability to print or save it digitally. However, since it’s designed for a wide audience, it lacks flexibility for our club’s specific needs. That’s why the club board is working on a custom template tailored to our dive plans. If you feel this level of information is important to you and you would utilize the EAP, please let us know.
Links –
DAN Webinar – The Personal EAP and Why You Need One
E-learning – DAN Training
How to use the form – Emergency Planning Who Is Responsible for Your Safety EAP eLearning Cut
PDF Form – https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fJHK0jGjuo0y7JzH7zeWKwmPtr7DmIZ3/view?usp=sharing
Conclusion –
Having an EAP doesn’t mean you’re expecting disaster—it means you’re thinking ahead like a smart, responsible diver. Hoping things go smoothly is not an acceptable emergency plan. Take the time to plan ahead. Remember, diving should always remain a safe and enjoyable activity. Proper planning, preparation, and education are the best safeguards against the unexpected, ensuring your diving experiences are memorable for all the right reasons.
Use the comments box below to share your thoughts on EAP’s.
