Injuries caused by marine animals accounts for less than 2% of all diving injuries or illness and South Africa is fortunate to have relatively few hazardous or aggressive marine creatures. Nevertheless, chances are that someone on the beach may happen upon a misplaced Blue Bottle and treatment will be required.

Many of South Africa’s divers live in Johannesburg, at altitude, where there are several interesting and challenging inland dive sites. Taking account of the effects of altitude when diving is something most divers pay little attention to and DAN’s article reminds us of the issues.

As I settled comfortably into my seat aboard the Boeing 747 heading home from the Caribbean, I found myself unable to stop scratching the itchy lumps that covered my body. I assumed that they were the result of an accidental brush with a stinging marine creature on one of my dives.

During the past two months there have been two emergencies in Mozambique requiring emergency evacuation. Both were complicated and we would like to use this opportunity to involve and empower our DAN members to work with DAN in the case of an emergency to ensure the fastest, most appropriate response.

Following DANs article on malaria in issue 1, here is important additional information in response to a reader's query on her own personal circumstances.

Whenever traveling to Africa one of the first questions asked is the one about Malaria. Dr Frans Cronje from DAN-SA gives a in depth description on preventative measure and what medication is suitable for diving.