Simon's Town DAN Divers Day
To advance and promote the DAN mission, we are hosting a DAN Divers Day at the Simon's Town on 28 September. This event is designed to educate the diving community on a range of marine and dive safety topics, fostering greater awareness and knowledge among divers. Attendance is free, but we encourage everyone interested in joining the event to register online. This helps us make the necessary seating and catering arrangements to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all.
Event Summary
Date: 28 September 2024
Time: Starts at 9 AM until 1 PM. Best to arrive around 8:30 AM!
Address: NSRI Station 10, Impact Divers, King George Way, Cape Town, 7975
Google Maps Link: https://bit.ly/nsri-station-10
Note: Attendance is free, but we encourage everyone interested in joining the event to register online. This helps us make the necessary seating and catering arrangements to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all.
Event Summary
Date: 28 September 2024
Time: Starts at 9 AM until 1 PM. Best to arrive around 8:30 AM!
Address: NSRI Station 10, Impact Divers, King George Way, Cape Town, 7975
Google Maps Link: https://bit.ly/nsri-station-10
Note: Attendance is free, but we encourage everyone interested in joining the event to register online. This helps us make the necessary seating and catering arrangements to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all.
First Talk Topic
The Chester Step Test – A Practical Approach
Presenter: Dr Lourens de Kock
Start Time: 9 AM
Talk Summary: More and more employers are requesting VO2max (oxygen uptake) values for their crew members as adjuncts to the pure clinical tests like lung function and stress ECG testing. The VO2max on its own or in combination with the others makes for a more practical and holistic assessment of physical fitness. This assessment can be done in a consultation room with basic equipment at a reasonable cost. The practicalities of conducting the test might seem overly complicated but with the right tools it can easily be done in a standard office. I will be demonstrating the practical aspects of the test and elaborate on the technicalities that needs to be kept in mind. A few academic points will also be discussed regarding the origin, value, and proper conclusions that one can draw from the test. It is noteworthy to remember that the Chest Step Test is only one of a range of tests that will ultimately give an indirect value for the client’s actual VO2max value.
Presenter: Dr Lourens de Kock
Start Time: 9 AM
Talk Summary: More and more employers are requesting VO2max (oxygen uptake) values for their crew members as adjuncts to the pure clinical tests like lung function and stress ECG testing. The VO2max on its own or in combination with the others makes for a more practical and holistic assessment of physical fitness. This assessment can be done in a consultation room with basic equipment at a reasonable cost. The practicalities of conducting the test might seem overly complicated but with the right tools it can easily be done in a standard office. I will be demonstrating the practical aspects of the test and elaborate on the technicalities that needs to be kept in mind. A few academic points will also be discussed regarding the origin, value, and proper conclusions that one can draw from the test. It is noteworthy to remember that the Chest Step Test is only one of a range of tests that will ultimately give an indirect value for the client’s actual VO2max value.
Second Talk Topic
Sharks Below The Surface
Presenter: Dr Sara Andreotti
Start Time: 10:30 AM
Talk Summary: A dive into South African shark research and conservation. "Dr Sara Andreotti is a marine biologist who has been working on shark population estimates, behaviour, and genetics for the past 15 years. Shark populations are facing a global decline, mainly due to overfishing and shark cull policies. Dr. Andreotti believes that through a better understanding of these fascinating animals, we can promote peaceful coexistence with them, increase their conservation, and ultimately improve the health of our oceans. In her talk, she shares fascinating insights into shark behaviour, some of the research work produced on South African sharks, and how the new SharkSafe Barrier technology can help promote shark conservation"
Presenter: Dr Sara Andreotti
Start Time: 10:30 AM
Talk Summary: A dive into South African shark research and conservation. "Dr Sara Andreotti is a marine biologist who has been working on shark population estimates, behaviour, and genetics for the past 15 years. Shark populations are facing a global decline, mainly due to overfishing and shark cull policies. Dr. Andreotti believes that through a better understanding of these fascinating animals, we can promote peaceful coexistence with them, increase their conservation, and ultimately improve the health of our oceans. In her talk, she shares fascinating insights into shark behaviour, some of the research work produced on South African sharks, and how the new SharkSafe Barrier technology can help promote shark conservation"
Third Talk Topic
Seals & Rabies Updates
Presenter: Dr Jack Meintjes
Start Time: 12 PM
Talk Summary: In June 2024 a wild Cape Fur Seal from Bloubergstrand tested positive for rabies. This prompted the examination of stored samples of seal brains and confirmed positive rabies cases in seven different sites spread all around the Western Cape coast. It is now confirmed that rabies is present in the seal population in this area. This is of concern to the divers, who frequently encounter these playful creatures underwater. Once rabies is contracted, there is no cure, and the disease is fatal. This presentation will update divers on the latest information on this issue and answer some questions you may have.
Presenter: Dr Jack Meintjes
Start Time: 12 PM
Talk Summary: In June 2024 a wild Cape Fur Seal from Bloubergstrand tested positive for rabies. This prompted the examination of stored samples of seal brains and confirmed positive rabies cases in seven different sites spread all around the Western Cape coast. It is now confirmed that rabies is present in the seal population in this area. This is of concern to the divers, who frequently encounter these playful creatures underwater. Once rabies is contracted, there is no cure, and the disease is fatal. This presentation will update divers on the latest information on this issue and answer some questions you may have.