Question about Divers Alert Network, DAN insurance

[scubadiverbob]

I had the Master Plan (member #1542447) and was injured diving and was hospitalized for five days due to an infection from the injury. DAN insurance never paid one cent for anything; although, I paid for the insurance for sence Oct. 2003. When I signed up for the insurance, the info given me said all diving and free diving injuries were covered. They told me all that was covered was decompression sickness and chamber usage when I tried appling for payment of medical bills. I sent e-mails to them and told them I'm diabetic and my doctor no longer allows me to do decompression diving (sometimes takes awhile to get to the surface) and asked if I could get the Divers Alert magazine without the insurance. They have never responded. I really like reading the magazine; but, sence the insurance is useless to me I no longer plan to carry it. Does anyone know if they will let me get the magazine without the insurance?

[Seahuntjerry]

Hi ,
I'm really appalled by Dan's refusal to pay.I have the Master plan also.Try the Padi insurance plan,they may be ablr to help you.
Give me your address and I'll give you some magazines for free.
Jerry

Anyone else who can help out there???

[Seahuntjerry]

PADI and DAN Join Together in Diver Safety
Last Updated: 11/20/06 2:18:02 PM

ORLANDO, Fla. – 7 November 2006: When two industry leaders join forces, something great is bound to transpire. At the PADI Member Social kicking off the DEMA Show 2006 in Orlando, Fla., USA, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) announced a new alliance with Divers Alert Network (DAN).

Joining together in the interest of increasing safety for all divers, the collaboration brings together the complementary elements of PADI’s expertise in training and education, and DAN’s expertise in emergency assistance, insurance, medicine, research and dive safety training.

As of 31 December 2006, the PADI-endorsed Diver Protection and Student Protection programs will be discontinued, and on 01 January 2007, DAN will become PADI’s preferred provider of dive accident insurance as well as the official insurance provider of the PADI Diving Society.

“The alliance between PADI and DAN is a shining example of how industry organizations working together can benefit all divers,” commented Drew Richardson, President and Chief Operating Officer of PADI Worldwide. “PADI focuses on the core competencies of excellence in training and diver education, while providing our divers access to DAN's world renowned diver safety programs.”

The alliance between PADI and DAN represents two of the most recognized brands in the diving industry bringing their respective strengths together to create a stronger network for all divers to utilize. Between DAN and PADI, divers have access to every level of dive training from entry- through professional-level, a comprehensive dive accident insurance program, dive safety training, information and safety resources, and 24-hour emergency assistance.

Dan Orr, President and Chief Executive Officer of DAN says, “PADI has always been a tremendous supporter of DAN, and this alliance represents the continuation of that support, as well as an unprecedented opportunity for us to further our mission. We are thrilled at the prospect of introducing so many divers to the resource DAN can be for them, and we look forward to welcoming into the fold all divers new to our organization and providing them the many benefits of DAN membership and insurance.”

In addition to endorsing DAN’s Dive Accident Insurance program, as of 31 December 2006, PADI will also encourage the use of DAN’s Student Membership Program and actively support DAN’s Recompression Chamber Assistance Program.

PADI is the world’s largest recreational dive training, certification and membership organization. PADI Members (dive centers, resorts, educational facilities, instructors, assistant instructors and divemasters) issue nearly 1,000,000 certifications worldwide each year, making underwater exploration and adventure accessible to the public, while maintaining the highest industry standards for dive training, safety and customer service.

Divers Alert Network (DAN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit medical and research organization dedicated to the safety and health of recreational scuba divers and is associated with Duke University Medical Center. Founded in 1980, DAN has served as a lifeline for the scuba industry by operating the only 24-hour diving emergency hotline, a lifesaving service for injured divers. Additionally, DAN operates a diving medical information line, conducts vital diving medical research, and develops and provides a number of first-aid and continuing education programs for everyone, from beginning divers to medical professionals.

For more information see the associated Q&A here.

[JES]

scubadiverbob,

Sorry to hear about your problem with DAN.

I'm sure that it goes without saying, but you don't actually need to be decompression diving to get DCS.

The chance of DCS and the extreme cost for DCS treatment is probably the only reason I carry the insurance (member since July 23, 1996) and if you read the fine print DAN is only considered secondary insurance.

With that said, I would recommend that you reconsider your decision to not carry DAN insurance since you never know when the nitrogen "bug" might bite.

It would also solve your magazine question.

[SeaRat]

I have not signed up for diving insurance since the 1980s, when I had a policy (life insurance, I think) from the Underwater Society of America. My diving is mostly in the rivers of Oregon, and I rarely dive below about 25 feet. If you look at the tables, it is not possible, even with almost saturation conditions, to get bent at 25 feet. The reason is that you need a pressure gradient of greater than 1 atmosphere to absorb enough nitrogen (or other inert gas) to create conditions for bubble formation. The no-decompression limits begin at 35 feet for 310 minutes (5.2 hours).

When I go to Puget Sound, I usually dive in Bruce Higgins' Edmonds Underwater Park, in Edmonds, Washington. It is a city park that is dedicated to scuba divers, and Bruce has been building it for almost 30 years. The deepest depths in the park are 35 feet. Bruce and his volunteer divers usually dive doubles (72s, as the LDS doesn't fill Al tanks), and doesn't bother tracking depth/time due to the minimal depths.

About 6 years ago I did some dives with a local dive club, and we had dives to 70 feet. We watched the tables very closely, but I haven't done those dives since. There is a lot to see between 35 feet and the surface.

So I don't feel the need for either the PADI or DAN insurance.

John

[JES]

I think that it is important to remember that 85% of people treated for decompression illness were diving within the limits imposed by either dive tables or a dive computer (i.e., most people were actually following the rules before they suffered their "hit")

[Seahuntjerry]

Last feb my friend got bent after one dive,he computer said he was safe(BY the way no one has ever seen a bent computer being treated in the chamber.
Cost of FIVE days in the chamber was $21,000.00 He was Lucky his personal insurance covered it.
Jerry

[scubadiverbob]

I have to agree with SeaRat. Also where I dive, one atm is different for fresh water than salt water; and most of my dives are 10 to 20 feet in fresh water. I'd have to stay down along time and surface very fast to get bent. It'd take me a week or two to get saturated. Can't do that on a 72. All I was asking was if anyone knows if I can subscribe to the Divers Alert magazine w/o the insurance. I've e-mailed and called DAN w/o a response. I'll take up seahuntjerry on his offer. I have all the mags until Oct 2006.

I know alot of people like DAN insurance and if they ever need to use it I wish them luck in collecting on it. There is a reason they make you pay your bills before requesting and sending any forms to them (then they say they are secondary insurance). They do give you nice stickers and address labels, and I like to read their magazines.

If I had not been able to use the VA Hospital over 90 miles from where I lived, I would have had to had my leg amputated (and I had DAN insurance; Master Plan). I hope this doesn't offend anyone; but, I just want to get the magazines.

[JES]

scubadiverbob said:

... I hope this doesn't offend anyone; but, I just want to get the magazines.

I'm sure no offense was taken by anyone and we certainly hope that you weren't offended either.

I'm sure that you've already done this, but I've also looked all over the DAN website and can't find anything about being able to get the "Divers Alert" magazine separately from the insurance.

Other then emailing DAN again, I'm not sure how you can get the magazine (short of Seahuntjerry's original suggestion)

Let us know how it works out and most importantly, we're glad to hear that your leg is OK.

[Seahuntjerry]

Need your address Bob,
[e-mail]

[scubadiverbob]

JES,

I had a friend who had one leg, who could out-swim most people, that lived in the bay area back in the '80's that used to dive with one fin ... that's what was going through my mind ... so I know it can be done ... I was scared though.

Got to go. I'm on VFW Honor Gaurd and have to muster for a funeral really soon ... be back later

Robert

[SeaRat]

Robert (Scubadiverbob),

Thank you for being in the VFW Honor Guard. Unfortunately, there are too many funerals...

John

[scubadiverbob]

Jerry,

Have to attend another funeral Wendsday. Being a diver, and prior Naval service, I've thought about burial at sea for me (one final dive); but, my wife doesn't like the idea. Well, enough about that.

I'll e-mail you my address. Already PM'ed it. Let me know if you get it.

Thanks,

Robert

[Seahuntjerry]

Hi Bob,
I have your address.
Jl

[Seahuntjerry]

Hi,
Dan acccident network called me this morning.
They clarified the plans they have.

The Standard Plan covers ONLY decompression sickness.

Master and Prefferred cover all Skin and scuba diving accidents in the water including cuts,
ear trauma etc.

You can get the DAN magazine with just a $29.00 membership.

Call DAn at Membership services 1-800-446-2671


Jerry Lang