DAN Medical Frequently Asked Questions

Acronyms

Acronyms used in this travel medical guide and in other medical situations.These are among the acronyms and abbreviations that you may encounter in this guide, as well as in other publications regarding travelers' health. See the Glossary for definitions of these and other terms.

ACLS: advanced cardiac life support
AED: automated external defibrillator
AGE: arterial gas embolism
AIDS: acquired immune deficiency syndrome
ATA: atmospheres absolute
BC/BCD: buoyancy compensator/buoyancy control device
BLS: basic life support
CAGE: cerebral arterial gas embolism
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
CNS: central nervous system
CPR: cardiopulmonary resuscitation
DAN: Divers Alert Network
DCI: decompression illness
DCS: decompression sickness
DEET: N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (an insect repellent)
DVT: deep vein thrombosis
EAN: enriched-air nitrox
EMS: emergency medical services
ENT: ear, nose and throat
FROPV: flow-restricted oxygen-powered ventilator
fsw: feet of sea water
GMT: Greenwich Mean Time
HAV: hepatitis A virus
HELP: heat-escape-lessening position
HIV: human immunodeficiency virus
IDDM: insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Lpm: liters per minute
msw: meters of sea water
NOAA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (U.S.)
OE: otitis externa
OHA: oral hypoglycemic agents
OM: otitis media
ORS: oral rehydrating solution
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (U.S.)
OTC: over the counter (a nonprescription drug)
PFSI: preflight surface interval
PPD: purified protein derivative (a tuberculosis skin test)
TB: tuberculosis
TD: traveler's diarrhea
UBA: underwater breathing apparatus
UHMS: Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
WHO: World Health Organization