a weekend in cape town

Becoming a DAN Diving First Aid Instructor

This past weekend in Cape Town was nothing short of incredible—and a milestone in my diving journey. What started as a trip for professional development turned into one of the most rewarding and empowering experiences I’ve had as a diver and an educator.

I headed down for my DAN (Divers Alert Network) First Aid Instructor training, excited but also aware of the responsibility that comes with teaching lifesaving skills in the diving world.

The course was intensive in the best possible way. We covered everything from emergency oxygen administration to neurological assessments, CPR, hazardous marine life injuries, and real-world diving incident scenarios. It wasn’t just theory—there were hands-on drills, problem-solving sessions, and those “aha!” moments where everything clicks into place.

Group of five people celebrating with a Swiss flag in a restaurant or cafe. Four women and one man, smiling, with some wearing red bandanas around their necks.
Two women sitting on a sidewalk curb, smiling at the camera. One has short blond hair, sunglasses, a black shirt, patterned pants, and blue gloves. The other has blonde hair, a navy blue shirt, and blue gloves. There are two cans and a smartphone on
A woman with blonde hair wearing sunglasses, a red bandana, and a black shirt is smiling at the camera inside a vehicle.

What truly made the weekend memorable were the people. Sharing the classroom with like-minded divers, instructors, medics, and ocean enthusiasts fuelled the experience. Everyone brought their own stories, their own challenges, and their own commitment to making diving safer. The support, the laughs, the shared passion—it all added to the magic of the course.

I left Cape Town with more than just a certification. I left inspired, confident, and excited to bring these advanced first aid skills back to my students. Whether it’s recreational divers, professionals, or anyone who simply loves the ocean, I can’t wait to help others feel more prepared and capable in emergency situations.

Here’s to growth, learning, and the kind of weekends that remind you exactly why you chose this path.

A woman performing CPR on a person lying on the ground inside a room. Several training mannequins are placed near the wall in the background.
A woman wearing a black shirt with a PADI logo and blue gloves seated indoors, with window blinds behind her, is cleaning her hands with a cleaning wipe. There is a backpack and a red bag on the floor next to her.
Three people practicing CPR on adult mannequins during a training session, with two instructors and a student wearing gloves and masks.