Scuba diving in Cozumel is adventurous, but accidents can happen. In fact, Divers Alert Network (DAN) reported there are approximately 1,000 diving accidents yearly, with more than 10% ending in fatality. The main causes of diving accidents were diver inexperience, age (>50), obesity, and cardiovascular disease.
The right dive insurance keeps you prepared. At Sand Dollar Sports, we recommend DAN (Divers Alert Network) dive insurance for all divers. DAN is a worldwide leader in accident coverage and emergency help, supporting you 24/7. Knowing what to do in an emergency and having DAN coverage makes getting care in Cozumel easier.
1. Get Medical Help Right Away: Your Safety Comes First!
During a dive accident, your health is the top priority.
Act right away:
- Notify your divemaster or instructor.
- Seek immediate medical assistance for any concerning symptoms.
- Do not delay treatment while thinking about insurance.
Quick medical care protects your health and gives DAN the paperwork needed for coverage and assistance.
2. Contact DAN’s Emergency Hotline as soon as possible
After you get care, contact DAN immediately. If possible, you or your dive buddy should contact DAN while in the hospital or at the doctor’s office.
DAN provides a 24/7 emergency hotline staffed by dive medicine professionals who can:
- Assist medical teams with dive-related injuries.
- Coordinate hyperbaric chamber treatment.
- Help arrange emergency medical evacuation.
- Confirm coverage and assist with payment coordination.
Contact DAN early to reduce stress and avoid extra costs. Decompression sickness treatment can exceed $10,000 USD, covering sessions, staff, and equipment.
US health insurance may cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy for dive accidents like decompression sickness, but it often excludes emergency evacuation, out-of-network care, or treatment in remote areas. Specialized dive insurance from DAN is recommended because it typically covers treatment, transport, and medical costs that standard policies may not. Standard policies may also exclude high-risk activities or have strict limits. Always review your plan’s exclusions and consider a dedicated dive policy for comprehensive protection.
3. Document Everything: This Helps DAN Support You
Clear documentation helps DAN process your claim smoothly.
Be sure to collect:
- Medical reports and diagnoses
- Treatment summaries
- Itemized bills and receipts
- Dive incident reports from the operator.
Keep digital or paper copies to simplify your claims process back home.
4. Know Your DAN Coverage Before You Travel
Review your DAN policy before your Cozumel trip.
Before your trip, confirm:
- That your coverage is active for your travel dates
- Emergency evacuation and hyperbaric chamber benefits
- Coverage limits and exclusions
- Any reporting requirements following an incident
DAN dive insurance is for divers. Most travel insurance does not cover diving.
5. Keep Your DAN Information Handy While Diving
We recommend having:
- Your DAN insurance card (digital or printed) or purchase a DAN tag to wear on your BCD
- Emergency hotline numbers saved in your phone
- Policy information stored in cloud storage
If an emergency strikes, having this information ready helps you or your buddy contact DAN quickly.
6. Follow Up After the Incident
After treatment, submit all essential documents promptly.
- Keep records of follow-up care.
- Stay in communication with DAN until your claim is complete.
DAN’s team is known for their helpful support, and staying in touch can make the process smoother.
Why We Recommend DAN Dive Insurance
As a Cozumel dive operator, Sand Dollar Sports has seen the real value of DAN insurance. One frequent diver suffered a crush injury when a scuba tank fell on her foot and required 10 hyperbaric treatments. Without DAN, her care would have cost over $20,000 — DAN covered the entire bill.
In contrast, another guest without dive insurance later incurred $4,000 in out-of-pocket medical costs after a dive accident.
This is why we strongly encourage all divers to have DAN insurance before arriving.
We strongly encourage all divers to:
- Purchase DAN dive insurance before traveling.
- Ensure coverage is active for the full length of their trip.
- Never assume regular travel insurance is enough.
Dive Prepared, Dive Confident
No one expects a dive accident, but being prepared makes all the difference by:
- Getting medical care immediately
- Contacting DAN right away
- Keeping proper documentation
- Purchasing insurance before your trip
This way, if something unexpected happens, you’ll have support every step of the way. At Sand Dollar Sports, your safety above and below the surface is always our top priority.
Book your dives, arrange DAN coverage, dive safely.
The best dive trips let you relax and enjoy the ocean. Book your dives with Sand Dollar Sports and secure DAN dive insurance before your Cozumel trip. Dive confidently knowing you’re protected.
