Skip to main content

Komodo Dive Insurance & Emergency Evacuation Guide

Updated: 26 min read
KG

Komodo Guide Travel Team

Experienced travel researchers

26 min read~3,200 words

Medical Emergency?

DAN 24-hr hotline: +1-919-684-9111  |  Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo: +62 385 238 1911  |  Indonesia emergency: 112

Table of Contents

Why Dive Insurance Is Non-Negotiable in Komodo

Komodo National Park is one of the world's premier dive destinations — and one of its most physiologically demanding. The same powerful, nutrient-rich currents that attract manta rays, sharks, and vast schools of fish also create conditions that dramatically elevate the risk of decompression sickness (DCS) for divers. Sites such as Batu Bolong, Crystal Rock, and the Cauldron are swept by currents that regularly exceed three knots, forcing divers into unplanned ascent profiles and making controlled decompression stops physically difficult or impossible.

The infrastructure reality compounds the risk. Komodo Island and Rinca Island have no hospitals. Labuan Bajo, the gateway town, hosts one specialist hospital — Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo — with a hyperbaric chamber, but severe DCS cases frequently require transfer to Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Hospital (formerly Sanglah) in Denpasar, Bali, some 1.5 hours away by commercial or charter flight. An air ambulance from Labuan Bajo to Bali costs USD 10,000–20,000. A multi-day hyperbaric treatment course at a Bali hospital can total an additional USD 5,000–30,000 depending on severity.

Standard travel insurance policies, including most adventure-sports riders, specifically exclude scuba diving accidents. Dedicated dive insurance — with DAN Asia-Pacific or an equivalent specialist provider — is the only coverage that reliably pays for hyperbaric treatment, evacuation, and DCS-related hospitalisation. Every diver entering the water at Komodo should carry it. Many reputable liveaboard operators now require documentary proof of dive insurance before allowing guests to dive.

DAN Asia-Pacific Coverage Options

Divers Alert Network (DAN) is the most widely recognised specialist dive insurance and emergency medical support organisation in the world. Its Asia-Pacific division — operating under the DAN World umbrella — covers divers residing in or travelling through Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, and broader Oceania. DAN AP provides both membership (emergency transportation coordination) and optional dive accident insurance (actual medical expense coverage).

Annual Plans (Recommended for Komodo Divers)

Plan Annual Cost Dive Accident Medical Cover Emergency Transport AD&D Benefit
Domestic USD 85 Up to USD 50,000 Up to USD 10,000 —
Master Worldwide USD 120 Up to USD 125,000 Up to USD 150,000 USD 10,000
Preferred Worldwide USD 150 Up to USD 250,000 per occurrence Up to USD 150,000 USD 25,000

For Komodo diving, the Master Worldwide or Preferred Worldwide plan is the appropriate choice. The Domestic plan's transport ceiling of USD 10,000 is insufficient to cover a Bali air evacuation. Both worldwide plans also include accidental death & dismemberment benefit and repatriation of remains.

Optional annual travel assistance add-ons are available with the Master and Preferred plans. The Master Travel add-on (USD 175/year total) extends coverage to non-diving medical emergencies — illness, accidents, trip cancellation — for every trip taken more than 80 km from home. The Preferred Travel add-on (USD 270/year total) raises non-diving medical coverage to USD 100,000 and trip interruption to USD 2,500. For most Komodo visitors, combining the Preferred Worldwide dive plan with the travel assistance add-on provides comprehensive coverage for both dive and non-dive emergencies.

Short-Trip Plans

DAN Asia-Pacific offers short-term coverage from 1 to 30 days, starting at approximately USD 20 per trip. Short-trip plans carry no restrictions based on age, depth, equipment type, or gas mixture, making them suitable for technical divers using nitrox or trimix. Coverage activates immediately upon payment. Short-trip plans are appropriate for visitors taking a single Komodo liveaboard expedition who do not dive regularly enough to justify an annual plan. They can be purchased before departure or upon arrival in Labuan Bajo.

Where to purchase: world.dan.org/membership-coverage/asia-pacific/

What to Look For: Bend Treatment Cost, Evacuation Cost

Dive insurance for Komodo must cover two specific cost categories that standard travel insurance typically excludes: hyperbaric chamber treatment for decompression sickness (DCS), which may require 5–10 or more sessions at approximately USD 300–500 per session at Bali facilities, and emergency medical evacuation, which by helicopter from the Komodo region to Bali can exceed USD 30,000.

Not all dive insurance is equal. When evaluating any dive insurance policy for Komodo, scrutinise the following clauses:

Hyperbaric Chamber Treatment

DCS treatment typically requires multiple hyperbaric sessions. A mild DCS case may resolve in 3–5 sessions; a severe spinal DCS case may require 10 or more. Each session at a Bali hospital costs approximately USD 40–80. But the physician, hospital room, nursing care, and medications add up quickly. Look for policies that cover at least USD 50,000 in dive accident medical expenses, with no per-session or per-day cap on hyperbaric treatment.

Air Ambulance and Evacuation

Evacuation by air ambulance from Labuan Bajo to Bali costs USD 10,000–20,000 using a configured medical aircraft. Internationally — for example, evacuation to Singapore or Australia — costs rise to USD 50,000–100,000. A DCS patient cannot fly on a commercial aircraft without medical clearance, because cabin altitude equivalent (typically 1,800–2,400 m) will cause nitrogen bubbles to expand. Look for policies that cover at least USD 100,000 in emergency transportation costs, explicitly including air ambulance.

Key Exclusions to Watch For

  • Depth limits: Some policies exclude dives below 30m or 40m. Ensure your policy has no depth restriction, or that the restriction is at or beyond your planned maximum depth.
  • Gas mixture exclusions: Some policies exclude enriched air (nitrox) or technical gas diving. DAN AP plans carry no gas mixture restrictions.
  • Pre-existing conditions: Patent foramen ovale (PFO), asthma, and diabetes affect DCS risk. Ensure your insurer is notified of relevant medical history.
  • "Adventure sports" clauses: General travel insurance may include an adventure sports rider that still excludes scuba diving. Read the exclusions list, not just the inclusions.

Hyperbaric Chambers in Indonesia

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) — breathing 100% oxygen under pressure greater than one atmosphere — is the definitive treatment for decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism. The following chambers are most relevant to Komodo divers:

Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo (Closest)

Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo is the only hospital in Labuan Bajo and the West Manggarai Regency. It operates the only hyperbaric chamber in Labuan Bajo, making it the primary first-response facility for DCS casualties from Komodo diving. The hospital has 56 doctors, 124 beds, an ICU, an operating theatre, and English-speaking staff. For dive accidents, it can initiate recompression while arrangements for further transfer to Bali are made if needed.

  • Address: Jl. Gabriel Gampur, RT.013 RW.005, Desa Gorontalo, Labuan Bajo, Kab. Manggarai Barat, NTT 86754
  • Emergency: +62 385 238 1911  |  1-500-911
  • General: +62 385 238 1900
  • 24-hr Duty Manager: +62 812-8200-9334
  • Website: siloamhospitals.com

Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Hospital, Bali (Primary Referral)

Formerly known as Sanglah General Hospital, Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Hospital in Denpasar is Bali's largest and most capable hospital and the primary referral centre for severe dive injuries from eastern Indonesia. It operates a multi-place hyperbaric chamber capable of treating multiple patients simultaneously and running the US Navy Treatment Tables (TT5, TT6) used for serious DCS. The chamber department operates Monday to Friday (registration 07:00–13:30; closed on public holidays). Emergency dive cases are handled 24 hours. The hospital is approximately 1.5 hours from Labuan Bajo by commercial or charter flight.

Other Chambers in the Region

Location Facility Contact Distance from LBJ
Labuan Bajo, NTT Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo +62 385 238 1911 In town — ~15 min from harbour
Denpasar, Bali Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Hospital (Sanglah) +62 361 227911 ~1.5 hr flight
Gianyar, Bali Kasih Ibu Hospital Gianyar +62 361 300 3333 ~1.5 hr flight + 30 min drive
Lombok, NTB RS Bhayangkara Mataram Verify with DAN ~40 min flight
Makassar, Sulawesi RS Wahidin Sudirohusodo Verify with DAN ~1 hr flight

Always Verify Availability

Hyperbaric chambers in Indonesia can be taken offline for maintenance or staffing reasons without advance notice. Before departing on a Komodo diving trip, call DAN Asia-Pacific (+61-3-9886-9166) to confirm the current operational status of the nearest chamber. DAN maintains real-time chamber availability data for the Asia-Pacific region.

Air Ambulance Operators Serving Labuan Bajo

Komodo Airport (also called Labuan Bajo / Mutiara II Airport, IATA: LBJ) is the hub for all air medical evacuations from the Komodo region. The following operators provide medically configured aircraft for evacuations to Bali or other Indonesian centres:

Susi Air Medevac

Susi Air is Indonesia's most established regional carrier with medevac capability and a fleet of 47+ aircraft. Its dedicated ambulance service operates ICU-trained crews including anaesthesia specialists, senior emergency doctors, and ACLS-certified nurses. Susi Air can arrange the appropriate mode of transport — helicopter, propeller charter, or commercial upgrade — after reviewing the patient's condition and location.

Indojet Medic

Indojet Medic operates King Air B200 and King Air B350 aircraft configured for intensive care transport, based in Lombok and Jakarta. They are available for evacuations from Labuan Bajo to Bali and for international repatriation.

Medical Air Service

An internationally operating medevac company with Indonesia expertise, Medical Air Service can arrange helicopter or fixed-wing evacuations from Komodo Airport 24/7. They typically mobilise within 2 days of booking for non-critical cases; critical cases are prioritised.

Alive 24 Indonesia

Specialises in medical evacuation within Indonesia, coordinating closely with travel insurance providers. Offers air, ground, and sea ambulance services.

Practical note: Your DAN insurance — or any specialist dive insurer — will coordinate the evacuation operator on your behalf once you call their emergency hotline. You should not need to source an air ambulance independently. The emergency hotline is your single point of contact.

Labuan Bajo Health Facilities

Labuan Bajo's medical infrastructure is anchored by Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo, opened in 2018 as the region's only full-service hospital. It provides emergency care, basic surgery, and hyperbaric chamber treatment for decompression sickness. However, it lacks the specialist neurology and intensive care capacity needed for severe dive accidents, making medical evacuation to Bali or Makassar the standard protocol for serious cases.

Labuan Bajo's medical infrastructure has improved significantly since 2018, driven by tourism growth and government investment in the region as a "super-priority" destination. However, it remains a regional centre, not a full metropolitan hospital hub.

Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo

Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo (opened 2018) is the only full hospital in Labuan Bajo and the entire Manggarai Barat (West Manggarai) Regency. It is capable of handling dive emergencies, including initial recompression therapy, and serves as the first port of call for all serious injuries in the region. Staff include English-speaking doctors. Key services relevant to divers: emergency room (24 hours), ICU, operating theatre, hyperbaric chamber, X-ray, and ultrasound.

  • Address: Jl. Gabriel Gampur, RT.013 RW.005, Desa Gorontalo, Labuan Bajo, NTT 86754
  • Emergency: +62 385 238 1911
  • Siloam national hotline: 1-500-911
  • General: +62 385 238 1900
  • Website: siloamhospitals.com

Puskesmas (Community Health Centres)

Several smaller government-run community health clinics (Puskesmas) operate in and around Labuan Bajo. These are suitable for minor injuries, wound care, and medication. They do not have hyperbaric or surgical capability. For any dive-related emergency, go directly to Siloam Hospital.

Dive Operator Clinics

Some larger PADI dive centres in Labuan Bajo maintain basic first aid stations with emergency oxygen. Dragon Dive Komodo, for example, notes a direct emergency line to Siloam Hospital's hyperbaric team. Confirm your operator's emergency protocols before your first dive.

Common Dive Accidents in Komodo

Decompression Sickness (DCS)

DCS — "the bends" — is the primary dive medical emergency in Komodo. It is caused by nitrogen that has dissolved under pressure into body tissues forming bubbles during ascent when pressure drops faster than the body can eliminate the gas through normal respiration. Komodo's strong currents are a critical risk amplifier: a diver swept up by a thermocline surge, a washing-machine current reversal, or a "freight train" channel current can be forced to ascend at 30m/min or faster — double the recommended rate — with no ability to pause for a safety stop.

Symptoms range from joint pain, skin rash (Type I, "pain only") to neurological deficits including paralysis, confusion, bladder dysfunction, and unconsciousness (Type II, "serious"). Symptoms typically develop within 6 hours of surfacing, though delayed presentation up to 24 hours occurs. Any unusual symptoms after diving should be treated as DCS until proven otherwise.

Risk factors specific to Komodo diving:

  • Multiple dives per day: Liveaboards often schedule 3–4 dives daily. Residual nitrogen accumulates with each dive.
  • Deep sites: Sites like Tatawa Besar and the walls of Komodo Island reach 40m+ regularly.
  • Exertion: Fighting currents at depth accelerates inert gas uptake.
  • Dehydration: Tropical heat and boat living reduce divers' hydration. Dehydration impairs nitrogen elimination.
  • Rapid consecutive ascents: Current reversals can carry an entire dive group from 25m to the surface in under a minute.

Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE)

If a diver holds their breath during ascent — even momentarily, due to panic or current — expanding air can rupture pulmonary alveoli and enter arterial circulation, causing immediate neurological collapse. AGE typically presents as sudden loss of consciousness at or just after surfacing. It requires the same hyperbaric treatment as DCS but is more immediately life-threatening. AGE underscores the cardinal rule: never hold your breath while scuba diving.

Barotrauma

Ear and sinus squeeze are the most common dive injuries at Komodo, often because divers attempt to push through equalisation difficulty to keep up with the group in a current. Untreated, they can cause tympanic membrane rupture and secondary infection. Divers experiencing equalisation difficulty should abort the dive.

Envenomation

Komodo's rich reef ecosystem includes stonefish, lionfish, sea urchins, fire coral, and box jellyfish. Most envenomations are minor and treated with hot water immersion (stonefish, lionfish) or vinegar (jellyfish). Serious systemic reactions are rare but require hospital treatment. Avoid contact with the reef and wear full exposure protection.

Pre-Trip Medical Checklist

Decompression sickness (DCS) is the most common serious dive injury in Komodo, caused by nitrogen bubbles forming in body tissues during rapid ascent — a particular risk in the park's strong, unpredictable currents that can carry divers from depth to the surface faster than the recommended 9–10 metres per minute. Other documented dive injuries include arterial gas embolism, ear and sinus barotrauma, and envenomation from reef fauna.

Complete the following before departing for Komodo:

Item Action Required
Dive insurance Purchase DAN Asia-Pacific Master or Preferred Worldwide before departure
Dive medical certificate Obtain a diving fitness certificate from a recognised dive physician if you have any cardiovascular, respiratory, or neurological conditions
Patent foramen ovale (PFO) If you have a history of unexplained DCS or stroke-like events, discuss PFO screening with your doctor before deep diving
Medications Carry a supply of personal medications plus: aspirin (for cardiac emergencies), antihistamine, ibuprofen, oral rehydration salts
Hydration Drink 2+ litres of water per day during liveaboard. Avoid alcohol for 12 hours before any dive
Surface interval discipline Follow your dive computer's surface interval recommendations rigorously; do not compress multi-day tables to add dives
Emergency contact card Carry a laminated card with DAN hotline, blood type, allergies, insurance details, and next of kin — in English and Indonesian
Dive computer A calibrated personal dive computer is mandatory; do not rely solely on a guide's computer
DSMB A delayed surface marker buoy (DSMB) is essential for signalling position after a current-forced ascent
No-fly buffer Allow minimum 18–24 hours after last dive before boarding any commercial flight. For multi-day diving, consult DAN guidance

Emergency Contact Numbers

Service Number Notes
DAN 24-hr Emergency Hotline +1-919-684-9111 International; available 24/7; operates from outside Australia
DAN Australia (toll-free) 1800-088-200 Free from Australian numbers; English only
DAN AP Customer Service +61-3-9886-9166 Non-emergency; business hours Melbourne time
Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo (Emergency) +62 385 238 1911 24-hour emergency; hyperbaric chamber on-site
Siloam National Hotline 1-500-911 Indonesia-wide Siloam emergency number
Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Hospital Bali +62 361 227911 Formerly Sanglah; hyperbaric dept ext. 232
Susi Air Medevac +62 811 211 3080 Air ambulance coordination
Indonesia General Emergency 112 Free from any mobile; connects to nearest emergency services
Indonesia Ambulance 118 / 119 National ambulance dispatch
BASARNAS (Search & Rescue) 115 Sea rescue and remote-area incidents
Labuan Bajo Tourist Police +62 385 411 10 Tourist assistance and incident reporting

Step-by-Step: What to Do if a Diver Bends

Time is the most critical factor in DCS treatment. Every hour of delay before recompression increases the risk of permanent neurological damage. Follow this protocol immediately:

  1. Recognise the signs. Joint pain, skin mottling, extreme fatigue, dizziness, numbness, tingling, weakness, vision changes, difficulty breathing, or any neurological symptom within 24 hours of diving. When in doubt, treat as DCS.
  2. Stop diving immediately. No further dives for any member of the group until the affected diver is assessed by a physician. Do not re-submerge the diver in an attempt to "re-compress" — surface recompression without a chamber is dangerous and ineffective.
  3. Administer 100% emergency oxygen. Place the diver on 100% oxygen via non-rebreather mask. Do not restrict oxygen use. Every reputable liveaboard and dive operator should carry an emergency oxygen kit. Continue until the diver reaches medical care.
  4. Keep the diver lying down and hydrated. Lay the diver flat. If conscious and not vomiting, offer 500ml of non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic fluid. Keep the diver warm and calm.
  5. Call DAN emergency: +1-919-684-9111. Provide: GPS position, number of divers affected, symptoms observed, dive profile (depth, time, number of dives in past 24 hours), current oxygen status. DAN will advise and coordinate evacuation.
  6. Alert Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo: +62 385 238 1911. Pre-alert the hospital so the hyperbaric team is ready. If the vessel is more than 2 hours from Labuan Bajo, discuss air evacuation with DAN before routing by sea.
  7. Document the dive profile. Record maximum depth, bottom time, ascent rate, any missed safety stops, gas mix, previous dives in 24 hours, and any equipment anomalies. This is critical clinical information for the treating physician.
  8. Do not fly. A DCS patient must not board any commercial or private aircraft until cleared in writing by a dive medicine physician. Cabin pressurisation at altitude causes dissolved nitrogen bubbles to expand, converting a treatable case into a catastrophic one.

Liveaboard Medical Equipment Standards

Reputable Komodo liveaboard operators maintain the following minimum medical equipment standards. Ask to see the equipment before your first dive if it is not proactively shown to you.

What Should Be on Board

Equipment Standard / Specification Why It Matters
Emergency oxygen kit DAN-standard oxygen unit; full cylinder; non-rebreather mask Primary first aid for all dive injuries; mandatory for DCS and AGE
First aid kit Sterile dressings, bandages, antiseptic, splints, scissors, tweezers Wound care, barotrauma management, envenomation first aid
Automated external defibrillator (AED) Operational; battery checked regularly Cardiac arrest response; rare but possible after severe AGE
VHF marine radio Channel 16 monitored; capable of contacting harbour master Emergency communication; coordinating evacuation vessels
Satellite phone or EPIRB Operational; registered to vessel Communication in remote areas outside mobile coverage
Life raft & life jackets Sufficient for all passengers; serviced annually Vessel emergency; sinking or fire
DSMB for each diver Surface marker buoy; each guest or guide carries one Signalling after drift or current-forced separation
Dive guides ratio Maximum 4 divers per guide Critical in Komodo's currents; more divers per guide is unsafe
Dive computer availability Each diver has access to a personal or rental dive computer Real-time depth/time data for ascent rate and NDL management

Questions to Ask Your Operator Before Diving

  • Where is the emergency oxygen kit? Is it full and ready?
  • What is the emergency action plan for a DCS case?
  • Do you have a satellite phone or VHF radio? What is the range?
  • What is the diver-to-guide ratio for Komodo current sites?
  • What is the closest hyperbaric chamber, and how would you get there?
  • Is dive insurance required, and can you verify it on boarding?

Quick Facts

Topic Key Data Point
Nearest hyperbaric chamber Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo (in town; ~15 min from harbour)
Primary referral hospital Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Hospital, Denpasar Bali (~1.5 hr flight)
Air ambulance cost (LBJ to Bali) Approximately USD 10,000–20,000
DCS treatment course cost USD 5,000–30,000 depending on severity and duration
DAN AP annual premium (Master Worldwide) USD 120/year
DAN AP short-trip plan From USD 20 per trip (1–30 days)
DAN 24-hr emergency hotline +1-919-684-9111
Indonesia general emergency 112 (free from any mobile)
Siloam Hospital LBJ emergency +62 385 238 1911
No-fly rule after diving Minimum 18–24 hours after last dive; longer after DCS treatment
Komodo currents max speed 3–6+ knots at peak tidal flow (major DCS risk factor)
Diver-to-guide safety ratio Maximum 4:1 at Komodo current sites

Myths vs Facts

Myth Fact
"My regular travel insurance covers scuba diving." Almost certainly false. Standard travel policies and adventure-sports riders routinely exclude scuba diving injuries, particularly DCS, which is a diving-specific diagnosis. Read the exclusions list.
"DCS only affects inexperienced divers who ignore safety stops." False. Experienced divers with hundreds of logged dives develop DCS at Komodo due to current-forced rapid ascents. Komodo's conditions are objectively hazardous regardless of skill level.
"If I feel fine after surfacing, I didn't get DCS." False. DCS symptoms can be delayed up to 24 hours after a dive. Fatigue, mild joint ache, or skin discomfort after a dive should prompt oxygen administration and medical consultation.
"I can re-submerge to 9 metres to relieve the bends on the boat." Dangerous and false. In-water recompression without a pressurised chamber, 100% oxygen, and medical supervision is unreliable and can worsen the patient's condition. Get to a hyperbaric chamber.
"There is no chamber near Komodo, so insurance doesn't matter there." False. Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo has had an operational hyperbaric chamber since 2018. For severe cases, insurance funds the air ambulance to Bali's Ngoerah Hospital — a cost that would otherwise be catastrophic.
"Nitrox eliminates DCS risk." False. Enriched air nitrox reduces nitrogen loading at a given depth but does not eliminate DCS risk — particularly in Komodo's forced-ascent conditions. DCS cases occur in nitrox divers.
"Flying the next day is fine if I feel okay." False. Cabin altitude pressure (equivalent to 1,800–2,400 m) causes dissolved nitrogen bubbles to expand. The no-fly minimum is 18–24 hours after the last recreational dive, longer after multi-day or deep diving, and significantly longer after any DCS event.

Practical Takeaways

  • Buy DAN Asia-Pacific insurance before you leave home. The Master Worldwide plan at USD 120/year covers USD 125,000 in treatment and USD 150,000 in evacuation. The premium is trivial compared to the potential exposure.
  • Save emergency numbers in your phone before you fly. DAN: +1-919-684-9111. Siloam Labuan Bajo: +62 385 238 1911. Indonesia emergency: 112.
  • Ask your liveaboard to show you the oxygen kit. If the operator cannot produce a full, functioning emergency oxygen unit, reconsider diving with them.
  • Respect the no-fly rule. Plan your last dive at least 24 hours before your return flight. If you dive a Komodo liveaboard on Day 5 and fly on Day 6 morning, you are at risk.
  • Abort any dive where you cannot control your ascent. No dive site is worth a DCS injury. If you are swept up in a current and cannot reach your safety stop depth, ascend in a controlled manner, deploy your DSMB, and surface.
  • Hydrate aggressively. Drink 2+ litres of water per day during your liveaboard. Dehydration is a documented DCS risk factor and is common in the tropical Komodo heat.
  • Do not push your dive table. Komodo operators who schedule 4 dives per day are pushing recreational dive table limits. A conservative 3-dive day with full surface intervals is safer, especially at depth.
  • Carry a personal DSMB. In Komodo's currents, you may surface far from the boat. A bright DSMB is your primary safety device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need dive insurance for Komodo?

Yes. Dive insurance — specifically from DAN Asia-Pacific or an equivalent specialist provider — is non-negotiable for diving in Komodo. The nearest fully equipped hyperbaric chamber is at Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo or, for severe cases, Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Hospital (formerly Sanglah) in Bali. Evacuation by air ambulance from Labuan Bajo to Bali costs USD 10,000–20,000. A DAN Asia-Pacific annual plan costs as little as USD 120–150 per year.

Where is the nearest hyperbaric chamber to Komodo?

The nearest hyperbaric chamber is at Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo (Jl. Gabriel Gampur, Labuan Bajo; tel: +62 385 238 1911). For cases requiring a full multi-place chamber and specialist care, Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Hospital in Denpasar, Bali (formerly Sanglah; tel: +62 361 227911) is the primary referral centre — approximately 1.5 hours by commercial or charter flight.

What does DAN Asia-Pacific cover for decompression sickness?

DAN Asia-Pacific plans cover hyperbaric chamber treatment, physician and hospital charges, and emergency transportation by ground, air, or marine ambulance to the nearest appropriate facility. The Master Worldwide plan covers up to USD 125,000 in dive accident medical expenses plus USD 150,000 in emergency transportation. The Preferred Worldwide plan covers up to USD 250,000 per occurrence.

How much does hyperbaric treatment cost in Bali?

A single hyperbaric session at Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Hospital in Bali typically costs IDR 600,000–1,200,000 (approx. USD 40–80) per session. DCS treatment often requires multiple sessions over several days, plus ICU care, which can total USD 5,000–30,000 depending on severity. Air ambulance from Labuan Bajo to Bali adds USD 10,000–20,000 to the total.

What is the DAN emergency hotline number?

The DAN 24-hour emergency hotline is +1-919-684-9111 (international, from outside Australia). From within Australia, call 1800-088-200 (toll-free). For non-emergency DAN Asia-Pacific customer service, call +61-3-9886-9166.

Can I buy DAN dive insurance as a short-term (per-trip) policy?

Yes. DAN Asia-Pacific offers short-term coverage from 1 to 30 days, starting from approximately USD 20 per trip. There are no restrictions based on age, depth, equipment, or gas mixture. Annual plans start at USD 85 (Domestic) and USD 120 (Master Worldwide).

What should I do if a diver shows signs of DCS on my boat?

Administer 100% emergency oxygen immediately. Keep the diver lying down, hydrated, and warm. Do not re-submerge. Contact DAN emergency hotline (+1-919-684-9111), call Siloam Hospital Labuan Bajo (+62 385 238 1911), and arrange evacuation to the hyperbaric chamber. Do not wait for symptoms to resolve — DCS is a medical emergency.

Does regular travel insurance cover decompression sickness?

Most standard travel insurance policies do not cover dive-specific accidents including decompression sickness. Even policies that cover adventure sports may exclude scuba diving at depth or technical diving. You must purchase dedicated dive accident insurance — DAN Asia-Pacific, DiveAssure, or DAN Europe — in addition to any general travel policy.

Sources & Further Reading

  1. DAN World — Asia-Pacific Membership & Coverage. world.dan.org/membership-coverage/asia-pacific/
  2. DAN — Decompression Illness: What Is It and What Is the Treatment? dan.org
  3. Prof. Dr. I.G.N.G. Ngoerah Hospital (formerly Sanglah), Bali — Hyperbaric Chamber Department. profngoerahhospitalbali.com
  4. Siloam Hospitals Labuan Bajo — Official Hospital Page. siloamhospitals.com
  5. Susi Air Ambulance — Medical Evacuation Services Indonesia. medevac.susiair.com
  6. Underwater Tribe — Hyperbaric Chambers in Indonesia. underwatertribe.com
  7. Dragon Dive Komodo — Safety Playbook: Scuba Diving in Komodo. dragondivekomodo.com
  8. GoBajo.com — Travel Safety Tips for Labuan Bajo & Komodo. gobajo.com
  9. Strauss MB, Borer RC Jr. (2001). "Diving medicine: Contemporary topics and their controversies." American Journal of Emergency Medicine 19(3):232–238.
  10. Vann RD, Butler FK, Mitchell SJ, Moon RE. (2011). "Decompression illness." The Lancet 377(9760):153–164. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61085-9
Dive SafetyInsuranceDCSEvacuationKomodo Diving

Fact-check note: Contact numbers and insurance plan details were verified against official sources in May 2026. Medical facilities and insurance premiums are subject to change — always confirm directly before travel. If you spot an error, please

contact us
.

KG

Komodo Guide Travel Team

Experienced travel researchers

Team of travel writers.

Recommended Reading

Last reviewed: by the Komodo Guide Editorial Team. See our methodology or submit a correction.

Cite this page

APA 7

Komodo Guide. (2026). Komodo Dive Insurance & Evacuation Guide. Komodo Guide. https://www.komodoguide.org/travel-guide/dive-insurance-evacuation/

Chicago

Komodo Guide. "Komodo Dive Insurance & Evacuation Guide." Komodo Guide. Accessed 2026. https://www.komodoguide.org/travel-guide/dive-insurance-evacuation/

MLA 9

Komodo Guide. "Komodo Dive Insurance & Evacuation Guide." Komodo Guide, 2026, https://www.komodoguide.org/travel-guide/dive-insurance-evacuation/.

BibTeX

@misc{dive_insurance_evacuation_2026, title = {Komodo Dive Insurance & Evacuation Guide}, author = {Komodo Guide}, year = {2026}, url = {https://www.komodoguide.org/travel-guide/dive-insurance-evacuation/}, organization = {Komodo Guide}, note = {Accessed 2026} }

RIS

TY - GEN TI - Komodo Dive Insurance & Evacuation Guide AU - Komodo Guide PY - 2026 UR - https://www.komodoguide.org/travel-guide/dive-insurance-evacuation/ PB - Komodo Guide ER -