ERDI Challenge Coin: Inaugural recipients are recognized for contributions to Public Safety Diving

ERDI™ (Emergency Response Diving International) announced earlier today the list of people who are the first to be awarded the ERDI Challenge Coin. This coin is earned by individuals whose work to promote Public Safety Diving within their communities has helped to improve PSD awareness, develop universal safe practices and attract both private and public sector funding for badged PS divers and support staff world-wide.

“This group of individuals have had a positive impact on Public Safety diving and more specifically have earned the appreciation and recognition of their peers in this important and growing segment of the service dive industry,” commented Brian Carney, president of ERDI.

Describing the ERDI Challenge Coin as a “small sign of our most sincere appreciation and a way to say thank you for all the effort made in the promotion and teaching of ERDI Public Safety Diving courses over the years,” Carney went on to explain that the first recipient of the honor are now charged with a new responsibility.

“We are asking this group of very special individuals to continue their work and additionally to help us identify the next wave of PSD educators and other team members who deserve the special recognition that is associated with the Challenge Coin.”

Carney said that during the past few years, several events at home and abroad have highlighted the need for comprehensive and standardized training for public safety dive teams. “Natural disasters, massive oil spills, and the destruction of homes by floods have shown us how important this service can be in any sized community. And how important it is to continue to develop and support individuals with the right training, equipment and infrastructure to offer help in the toughest of conditions and harshest circumstances.

The list of recipients of the inaugural ERDI Challenge Coin includes:

Paul Montgomery
Ed Christini
Shawn Harrison
Jeff Smith
Buddy Brown
Joey Brown
Britt Clark
Jonathan Huber
Michael Glenn
Dart Craytor
Phillip Graf
Jacques Brassard
Dale Autry
Matthew Gruca
Henry Woronka
Charles Herman
Joe Mokry
Wendell Nope
Ronald Kurth
Michael Bourne
Buck Buchanan
Ronald Dorneker
Bill Hardman
Spencer Slate
Sam Rich
Rodney Pedersen
Mike Pedersen
Dan Howard
J. Mathieu Burden
Bret Gilliam
Mitch Skaggs
Ed Young
Phil Venture
James Wilk
Jason Martin
Keith Cormican
Bill Nichols
Glen Faith
Ray Mazzola
Grady Weston
Justin Weston
Ron Westmoreland
Dan Vaccaro
Brian Vaccaro

If you are a member of a Public Safety Dive Team, are a member of ERDI or are interested in finding out more about the ERDI Challenge Coin or how to nominate an individual to receive one, please contact ERDI Headquarters.

DAN Offers Unique Training Programs for Divers, Professionals

Spaces Still Available for the 69th DAN Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Course

Released on: 2/15/2011

If you are a diver with an interest in diving medicine, DAN® offers a unique opportunity to deepen your diving education.

The 69th DAN Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Course taking place Apr. 9-16, 2011 in Little Cayman, marks the debut of a new partnership between DAN and the Wilderness Medical Society. This six-day course is designed primarily for physicians. Emergency medical personnel, paramedics, nurses and professionals with interest in diving medicine may also find the course valuable. The program includes lectures, case presentations, printed support materials, and both formal and informal discussion sessions with faculty.

Education is not the only benefit of attending, however, as attendees may enjoy all the program location has to offer. The rooms and tropical foliage of Little Cayman Beach Resort capture the warmth and beauty of the island of Little Cayman. The resort sits on a private beach with views of the Caribbean water and reefs. Divers from around the globe have proclaimed Little Cayman as one of the world’s premier dive destinations with pristine reefs, excellent visibility and incredible diving. The coral canyons, sand chutes and sponge-covered walls are all part of the Little Cayman dive experience. Turtles are a common sighting. Eagle rays, angelfish, reef sharks and grouper are among the 500-plus species of fish documented in Little Cayman waters.

In addition to the world-class diving, guests can explore the island trails or, for a rental fee, kayak the clear waters. The resort property includes a swimming pool, hot tub, beach hammocks, basketball and tennis courts and fitness center. The on-site boutique, Mermaids, carries a range of gifts and essentials. The Nature Spa caters to both men and women with a variety of spa treatments. Wireless Internet access is available throughout the resort.

The package assembled for DAN CME course participants includes seven nights lodging, three buffet meals daily and 11 scheduled dives. Room and meal taxes and gratuities are included. Nitrox and rental dive equipment is available at additional charge.

For those unable to attend the 69th course but wish to take advantage of DAN continuing medical education opportunities, the 70th DAN Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Course is scheduled in Roatan, Honduras, Oct. 22-29, 2011.

For more information on or to register for a DAN continuing medical education course, contact DAN CME at (919) 684-2948 x.556 or email cme@dan.org.

or

Please email omnidive@gmail.com if you are interested or want additional information.