Diving Abroad Any Time Soon?? READ THIS NOW !!!

[Mr T.]

This was posted by Dave Covey on 17-09-02, and makes salutary reading.....

"Hi From Thailand,

I urge anyone contemplating a [diving] holiday outside the EU to take a good look at their INSURANCE POLICY!! I work in a Hyperbaric Chamber and (in a 'worst case' scenario) can confirm that, on average, a patient receives 2 x US Navy Table 6's & 2 x US Navy table 5's.............In laymen's terms, that's some 20 Hours in 4 days (@ up to US&#36800 PER HOUR!!)

As a BSAC Member I have no Desire to "Mug" anyone. Please contact me if you seek further advice on this subject.........

Dave Covey, Koh Samui, Thailand
Related link: Divers Alert Network"


So buckle-up on that Dive Insurance folks!! Gav and Fi, hope you're squared away for your trip at Christmas??

Take care all.

[Gavin Yates]

I've got DAN plus a comprehensive travel policy Bren but cheers for the heads-up.

[Lawrence Debono]

It is certainly a must for those who dive here in Canada or the US. Both residents and non-residents are not covered for diving accidents. The Ontario Health Insurance Plan throws in some change but we have to foot the rest of the bill. That's not the only concern. The other side of the coin, is if you need an SAR or coast guard chopper. That usually runs about &#362500 an hour - OH ye baby!

The nice thing about diving insurance like Dan, and others, is that one can buy "air evacuation" in the policy. Obviously for an extra cost, but it will be cheaper than squaring off directly with the goverment.

I wonder if a skier can get free air ambulance from a mountain???

Lawrence

[Pierre Farrugia]

Hello,

Come to Malta, as it's only 5 to 10min with chopper to chamber, normally everything is free but as good citizens we don't abuse of this free service, hehe, I thing the only free service not abused!

Regards

Pierre

[John Gulliver]

From a Scandinavian perspective, postings on this subject always surprise me. Anyone with a homeowner's insurance policy here in Sweden is covered for medical treatment, including chamber treatment and evacuation, anywhere in the world. All we have to do is ring SOS' office in Copenhagen (covers all the Scandinavian countries) and get their OK. They are open 24 hours a day and the doctors on the switchboard can usually give an immediate answer. In most cases they will guarantee the doctor/hospital that the insurance company will pay. Exceptionally, though, we may have to pay up front and recover the money from the insurance company afterwards. In case we are too ill or badly injured to ring SOS ourselves, we carry a slip in English from our insurance company requesting the doctor to treat us and guaranteeing to pay him. Our homeowner's policy also includes good travel insurance cover for up to 5 weeks, by the way.

(Edited by John Gulliver at 11:02 am on Dec. 9, 2002)

[Dr Stevil]

So is regular travel insurance is no good for divers?
If so how much is the DAN insurance and where do you get it?
(trying to plan a dive holiday at the mo so any advice on do's and don'ts gratefully received)
Chee-az
Steve

[Ben Harris]

Always read the small print with adventure holiay insurance unless its from a dive place (even then!)

Most of the time the restrictions make it almost pointless.

[ian Price]

Ben on this one did you take out the insurance with redsea divers? I think it covers down to 40 metres and up to £2,000,000 medical. If anyone is interested its by Virgin divers and they offer your money back if your not satisfied with the policy. Only down side I can see is diving kit is limited to £500
Ian

[Jay]

Steve - DANs european websire is HERE. Cost varies but mine worked out at about £80 I think.

Regards

[Dr Stevil]

cheers Jay, I ended up going with Westfield as per Brens recommendation as the "including spouse" deal makes it the cheapest option.

Does anyone know if extra inoculation are require for Red Sea?   got tetanus, Hep A & B etc