operational needs of the canadian forces in all environments. divers alert network main article: divers alert network the divers alert network (dan) is an international non-profit organization with regional branches supported by donations, grants, and membership dues, for assisting divers in need. the dan research department conducts significant medical research on recreational scuba diving safety, and the dan medicine department provides support for divers worldwide to find answers to their diving medical questions. diving diseases research centre the diving diseases research centre (ddrc) is a british hyperbaric medical organisation located near derriford hospital in plymouth, devon. it is a registered charity and was established in 1980 to research the effects of diving on human physiology. the main objective of ddrc is research into diving medicine. the centre is also an education and training base providing diving medical, clinical and hyperbaric courses. diving medical advisory council dmac is an independent committee with the purpose of providing advice about medical and safety aspects of commercial diving. they publish guidance notes about various aspects of diving and diving medical practice, and run a scheme for approval of courses in diving medicine. european committee for hyperbaric medicine the echm is an organisation to study and define indications for hyperbaric therapy, research and therapy protocols, standards for therapeutic and technical procedures, equipment and personnel, and related cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness criteria. it is a representative body with the european health authorities, and works toward cooperation among scientific organizations involved in the field of diving and hyperbaric medicine. membership of the committee includes doctors practicing diving medicine in northern europe, representatives of relevant health authorities, medical representatives from relevant navies, and a diving safety officer nominated by the international marine contractors association. european underwater and baromedical society main article: european underwater and baromedical society the european underwater and baromedical society (eubs) is a primary source of information for diving and hyperbaric medicine physiology worldwide. the organization was initially formed as the european underwater and biomedical society in 1971. national board of diving and hyperbaric medical technology the national board of diving and hyperbaric medical technology (nbdhmt), formally known as the national association of diving technicians, is a non-profit organization for the education and certification of qualified personnel in the fields of diving and hyperbaric medicine in the us. the diver medic technician (dmt) program is designed to meet the specific medical care needs of commercial, professional and scientific divers that often work in geographic isolation. dmt's are specifically trained for the various diving hazards found at remote work sites. the curriculum covers a wide range of topics from barotrauma to treatment of decompression sickness. the certified hyperbaric technologist (cht) program is tailored to meet the specific safety and operational needs for biomedical devices within the department, and the necessary knowledge and skills to administer clinical treatment. the curriculum covers a wide range of topics including hyperbaric chamber operations to transcutaneous oxygen monitoring. the certified hyperbaric registered nurse (chrn) program is a subspecialty for registered nurses, sometimes referred to as baromedical nurses. southern african underswater and hyperbaric medical association sauhma is a voluntary association recognised as a special interest group by the group council of the south african medical association. south pacific underwater medicine society the south pacific underwater medicine society (spums) is a primary source of information for diving and hyperbaric medicine physiology worldwide. the organisation supports the study of all aspects of underwater and hyperbaric medicine, provides information on underwater and hyperbaric medicine, publishes a medical journal and holds an annual conference. spums offers a post-graduate diploma of diving and hyperbaric medicine. undersea and hyperbaric medical society the undersea and hyperbaric medical society (uhms) is a primary source of information for diving and hyperbaric medicine physiology worldwide.