Outside US, is joining DAN worth it.

[Freeflyer]

I've just been going through the DAN site, to look at membership benefits. Seems to me that over here in Asia there's not much reason to join.

I can't get equipment insurance, because that's for US residents only. The emergency cover only seems to be for when you're further from home than 50 miles. Brunei is not much more than that long, so it would only work when I go on holiday, not for regular weekend diving.

Am I missing something, or are most DAN members in the US. If not, what do international members gain.

This is not a flame but a genuine question, I wanted to join, but don't see there being much value.

Thanks,

J.

 

[StueyinDeep]

As a British citizen and member of DANEurope living in Canada, I enjoy the benifits of professional insurance for a fraction of the price of my colleagues.

;P

 

[scubaculture]

I'm in South Africa and a member of DAN. I would recommend that all divers sign up, the monthly or yearly fee is really low and in SA at least alot of Medical Aids do not provide adequate cover for diving related injuries.

 

[El Orans]

The emergency cover only seems to be for when you're further from home than 50 miles.

In Europe Travel Assist indeed only works if you're further 50 miles from your home. More than 90% of my dives are local so Travel Assist is not useful to me.

The reason why I took DAN was for medical emergencies (chamber rides etc.)

 

[ScubaTexas]

Freeflyer,

You might look at DAN South East Aisa - Pacific at www.danseap.org/

 

[String]

Another thing to look at is in the UK medical treatment costs etc can be covered on the NHS so a UK diver diving only in Britain is unlikely to need it as much.

 

[Boogie711]

Another thing to look at is in the UK medical treatment costs etc can be covered on the NHS so a UK diver diving only in Britain is unlikely to need it as much.

I'm in Ontario, Canada, and our Healthcare is covered by the Government. However, for me, the small amount of money DAN charges is WELL worth it.

a) you're supporting a good cause
b) DAN has expertise in diving medical emergencies. Your local emergency room doctor does not.
c) DAN can tell you where the nearest chamber is, and arrange emergency evacuation.

In a medical decompression emergency, your time = your brain.

I'd much rather have someone at the other end of the phone who knows what they're doing and discussing it with the frontline medical personell, than have some overworked nurse take a look at me in emergency, see I'm not bleeding or having a heart attack, and decide that I wasn't a REAL medical emergency.

 

[RICHinNC]

It is the meds issue. goooooooood

 

[String]

a) you're supporting a good cause
b) DAN has expertise in diving medical emergencies. Your local emergency room doctor does not.
c) DAN can tell you where the nearest chamber is, and arrange emergency evacuation.

Thats why the first thing the coastguard will do is patch you through to the duty doctor at the DDRC who will then liase with them, local hospital and all involved services.

If you get a bend at home after diving, phone 999 or the DDRC direct and they'll do the same, they'll liase with all involved and play the role of an expert.

 

[Boogie711]

It's worth saying again... In a medical decompression emergency, your time = your brain.

I'd much rather have someone at the other end of the phone who knows what they're doing and discussing it with the frontline medical personell, than have some overworked nurse take a look at me in emergency, see I'm not bleeding or having a heart attack, and decide that I wasn't a REAL medical emergency.

Or, as you point out - having some duty doctor who's being harassed about 8 things to Sunday take a look at you and say to himself "Oh yeah, that guy with the weird dive thing... I'll get to him after I fix up these poor folks with a cut finger."

Plus - it supports a great cause. The DAN folks are leading the charge on getting hyperbaric facilities all over the world, and teaching people how to use them. They are the ones doing research on everything from DCS to reaction to medications.

I can't say that about my local hospital, that's for darn sure.