The second half of my summer with Divers Alert Network has been as fast-paced and rewarding as the first. Between new dives, field research training, and bigger communications projects, every week has added a new layer to what I’ve learned here. But this month has really pulled me deeper into DAN’s research operations, giving me a closer look at how science, safety, and storytelling work together.
We kicked off July with the addition of our new summer intern, Ai, visiting us from Italy. Ai joined us for a dive at American Quarry during a treasure hunt event hosted by the Piedmont Diving Rescue Association, or PDRA, the local community that maintains many of North Carolina’s quarries. The event mixed community fun with underwater exploration, and it was the first time our full team got in the water together. One of the more surreal moments was attempting to jump on a submerged trampoline — something that turned out to be equal parts funny, weird, and technically difficult. It was the first time all four interns — Sam, Tyler, Ai, and myself — dove together, and it was a great way to celebrate how diving bonds people across backgrounds and experience levels.
Back in the office, projects picked up speed. My article summarizing findings from the lung squeeze survey was published, and I began work on a larger project: helping to revamp the DAN Store’s website offerings. That began with building a massive Excel sheet to catalog every product and its specifications. The goal was to update the copy, or product writing, to ensure it was clear, accurate, and consistent across categories. It was less glamorous than diving, but it gave me a better appreciation for how communication and precision feed directly into DAN’s mission.
I also spent time in the media studio, getting to see the DANcast podcast setup and sit in on an episode recording. Having previously only worked on transcripts, watching the full production gave me new insight into how these conversations come to life. I recommend watching out for the upcoming CME episodes — they stand out for their practical takeaways, candid stories, and humor that reveals a different side of dive medicine.
The most concentrated training this month came with the Field Research Operator Workshop, led by DAN’s VP of Research, Dr. Frauke Tillmans. Over three days, Frauke guided us through the logistics of conducting dive research on human subjects. We practiced taking a four-chamber ultrasound view of the heart to check for bubbles in both venous and arterial chambers, collected hydration data through urine osmolality testing, and learned how to conduct 24-hour dietary recalls and anthropometric measurements. These sessions, paired with presentations from Frauke and collaborators, gave me a much deeper appreciation for the complexity of running human research safely and systematically.
On the final day of the workshop, we brought everything together during a mock run of DAN’s recent VGE (venous gas emboli) study at Mystery Lake. I rotated between roles: documenting the study as the communications intern, collecting physiological measurements as a researcher, and even serving as a participant by joining a 100-foot dive. It was a rare chance to see every side of a project — preparation, data collection, and the diver’s perspective — all in one day. Afterward, we rounded out the weekend with fun dives, exploring some of the quarry’s sunken attractions.
Center: Possibly a Bluegill fish swims in the shallows at Mystery Lake.
Right: Fellow intern Tyler Horton runs through the mock trial, performing an ultrasound on the interval mark.
The month closed with the Diving First Aid (DFA) course. I had first taken this training two years ago during my scientific diving certification and was struck by how in-depth, extensive, and specific to marine sports it was. I appreciated being in a course that encouraged questions and directly addressed the realities of my work — as a former sailing instructor, my main concern with CPR was always drowning, which wasn’t covered well in standard classes. Renewing my certifications with the very organization that wrote the book on diving first aid was not only a valuable refresher but also an opportunity to give feedback as a student.
Altogether, July brought a shift from settling in to truly engaging with DAN’s research and training, and it left me better prepared — both in and out of the water — for the final month ahead. And while I hope future fieldwork involves fewer unexpected bat encounters, at least I can say I’m now well-versed in both dive medicine and rabies protocol.
