INSTRUCTORS: Please enroll OW students in DAN's free student dive insurance

[DandyDon]

And for you potential OW students, here's something to ask your Inst about...?​

When we discussed this before, some said that they did, some didn't. My LDS always does and they confirm it is a pain with the extra paperwork and online registration, but then - so very important. I'm sure it's good for their business in the long run too, for when an OW student gets a so common ear injury (or worse?! :shocked2: ), the student is covered, DAN pays the bill, and all is good.

My home bud did OW with me and while I thot our Inst was very good, he didn't bother enrolling us in the free DAN student diver program. My bud injured an ear as so many OW students do, went to a local doc without thinking of calling DAN for a referral, and found the doc knew nothing about Scuba. [-]And like many of us, my bud's medical insurance does not pay for smaller claims like this so my bud was out the $100+ for exam and treatment, yielding a sour first experience.[/-] (Edit: Ok that wouldn't have been covered; see below.)

It would have been so much nicer if we had [-]been covered by the free dive insurance and had[/-] DAN info about calling for referrals at the time...!​

Beyond OW of course, the covered student will find it convenient to retain the membership and coverage, and I think you will all agree that we all need such or similar. Our Inst did give us the brochures and I did sign up after OW, but my bud didn't get around to that. Sure enough, on our first outing to Santa Rosa NM, he dropped his weight belt at 60 ft or so, did the human cork ascent, and substained a worse injury. I didn't learn of the hit for a long time afterward as he kept it to himself and tried to ignore the pain. Thank goodness it wasn't worse as it certainly could have been and he did outlive it, but he later explained he was sore for weeks.

However accurate that old tale is or isn't (it's been 8 years and I just got the highlights some time after), again - it would have been so much nicer if he'd had been covered without financial worries and had the membership info to explain that DAN was there for him 24/7. We know that now, I've called with questions from time to time since, but we were both new, in awe of Scuba, and just learning what to do when caca hits fan.

Back to the Please Do It: Ok, so it's more paperwork and online registration - a pain. How much more would you need to charge for your compensation? $10 cover you ok? Raise you rates if needed, but please do get those OW students covered before they even hit the pool, much less their first exposure to 2 Atmospheres.

thank you!

 

[jviehe]

FYI, DAN student membership only covers recompression treatment costs, not things like ear injuries. This would be covered by your usual health insurance. I agree though, all divers should get DAN membership and insurance. And instructors should offer student membership to their students.

The following are the Terms and Conditions of the DAN Student Membership Program:

Students must reside in the DAN Americas region and be participating in an entry-level dive certification program to be eligible for the DAN Student Membership Program.
Students can enroll online at www.danismybuddy or Instructors can enroll their students online at DAN is My Buddy : Student Membership Program or FAX completed rosters to DAN at 919-490-6630.
DAN Student Insurance covers up to $20,000 in recompression chamber treatment for DCI injuries received during entry-level dive training.
DAN Student Insurance coverage begins at 12:01 a.m. on the date of the first required dive after the student enrollment information is received at DAN.
DAN Student Insurance coverage ends in six months, or when students complete the last required dive for entry level certification, whichever occurs first.

 

[BonaireDan]

STRONGLY AGREE. ALL my students are signed up.

 

[blue steal]

Hey Dandydon I am curious to know if DAN would still be a good idea if you had very good insurance otherwise. I was just on their website when this thread started and saw that the membership is $35 year, is that calendar year, or a year from when you join? then there is their insurance programs, three, with the price starting at $25, $35 and $70. Your thoughts on this...

 

[DandyDon]

FYI, DAN student membership only covers recompression treatment costs, not things like ear injuries. This would be covered by your usual health insurance. I agree though, all divers should get DAN membership and insurance. And instructors should offer student membership to their students.

Wouldn't cover the common ear injuries, huh...?

Hey Dandydon I am curious to know if DAN would still be a good idea if you had very good insurance otherwise. I was just on their website when this thread started and saw that the membership is $35 year, is that calendar year, or a year from when you join? then there is their insurance programs, three, with the price starting at $25, $35 and $70. Your thoughts on this...

It's essential. Get the middle plan at least. The bottom plan is a dog and only $10 cheaper. The membership also provides important benefits...!

Otherwise, if you need help, especially out of country - you may have to front the money for expensive treatment in hopes that you will be reimbursed later. DAN coverage is usually just accepted, but they will wire money if needed.

 

[jviehe]

Wouldn't cover the common ear injuries, huh...?

It's essential. Get the middle plan at least. The bottom plan is a dog and only $10 cheaper. The membership also provides important benefits...!

Otherwise, if you need help, especially out of country - you may have to front the money for expensive treatment in hopes that you will be reimbursed later. DAN coverage is usually just accepted, but they will wire money if needed.

That is my understanding of the student membership.

 

[meierdierck]

hey dandydon i am curious to know if dan would still be a good idea if you had very good insurance otherwise. I was just on their website when this thread started and saw that the membership is $35 year, is that calendar year, or a year from when you join? Then there is their insurance programs, three, with the price starting at $25, $35 and $70. Your thoughts on this...

you need dan, combined with your personal insurance, dan covers stuff like medivac, and diver specific treatments that are not always covererd by personal policies

 

[DandyDon]

That is my understanding of the student membership.

Ok thanks; edited my original post somewhat.

 

[offgasn]

I sign up all my OW students during class while taking final exam, simply logon it takes about 1 minute per student (slow typer). I am racking up points with DAN but still don't what for yet but it all helps.