From Reef to Rescue: How DAN Insurance Protects Divers Everywhere

Benjamin Hadfield Nov 10, 2025

You Should Have DAN Insurance - Here is WHY

DAN’s insurance is made for divers — not just travelers. It fills the gaps that traditional health insurance often leaves open.

The top-tier Guardian Plan provides:

Up to $500,000 in accident medical expense coverage for hyperbaric treatments, hospital care, and emergency transport (air, ground, or marine).
Worldwide recognition, so you’re covered whether diving locally or internationally.
Coverage for divers age 70 and over, so you never have to age out of adventure.
Search & Rescue and lost equipment coverage, protecting your safety and gear.
Travel delay reimbursement if medical treatment interrupts your trip.
Accidental death, dismemberment, and disability coverage, for financial protection in the worst-case scenario.

DAN also provides a 24-hour emergency hotline, connecting you instantly with dive medical specialists anywhere in the world.

Real Stories — How DAN Makes a Difference

Over the years, we’ve seen DAN make an enormous difference for divers in real-life emergencies:

Emily’s Story – The Undiagnosed PFO

On a Caribbean dive trip, Emily surfaced feeling lightheaded and short of breath. Doctors later discovered she had an undiagnosed PFO (patent foramen ovale), a small hole in the heart that can allow bubbles into the bloodstream, leading to decompression illness.
She was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby island for hyperbaric treatment and spent a week in the hospital. DAN covered everything — the helicopter transport, chamber treatments, hospital bills, and follow-up care. What could have been a $50,000 ordeal turned into a fully managed emergency with expert support and no financial burden.

Mark’s Mask Squeeze Mishap

Mark surfaced from a shallow dive with bright red eyes and discomfort from subconjunctival hemorrhage — a common result of mask squeeze. It wasn’t serious, but the doctor visit and treatment weren’t cheap. DAN covered all of it, no questions asked.

Samantha’s Sudden Vertigo

After a calm reef dive, Samantha developed severe vertigo and couldn’t stand without losing her balance. She was transported by ambulance and hospitalized for observation. DAN’s coverage handled the ambulance, hospital, and testing costs completely.

“We’ve seen DAN step in time and time again for divers who never imagined they’d need help,” says Benjamin Hadfield, Instructor Trainer and Managing Partner of Stuart Scuba. “It’s not about expecting an accident — it’s about being prepared if one ever happens.”

Dive Within Your Limits — and Expand Them Safely

While DAN offers incredible protection, it’s essential to understand that claims can be denied if the diver was operating outside their certification or training level.

If a diver certified only to 60 feet attempts a 120-foot dive and something goes wrong, DAN may determine that the dive exceeded their qualifications — and deny the claim.

“Your training level is your safety boundary,” explains Nikki Hadfield. “When divers push past their limits without the proper education, that’s when things can go wrong. But the great news is — we can help you reach any goal safely.”

At Stuart Scuba, we specialize in helping divers advance their skills safely and confidently. Whether you want to dive deeper, extend your bottom time, or prepare for professional and technical diving, our instructors can guide you there — one certification at a time.

We offer:

Advanced Open Water Diver – Develop new skills like deep diving, navigation, and buoyancy control.
Rescue Diver – Learn how to prevent and manage diving emergencies through practical rescue scenarios.
Divemaster & Instructor Development – Become a dive professional and share your passion with others.
Technical & Tri-Mix Diving – For divers ready to explore deeper and more challenging environments, Stuart Scuba offers technical programs all the way through Tri-Mix training, allowing for safe, extended deep dives.
Emergency Preparedness Training – All divers can benefit from safety education. That’s why we teach CPR, First Aid, Oxygen Provider, and AED certification classes — all on-site at our training facility.

“We believe in comprehensive diver education,” adds Benjamin Hadfield. “It’s not just about the certifications — it’s about building confidence, awareness, and a mindset of safety that lasts a lifetime.”

Safety, Support, and the Stuart Scuba Difference

At Stuart Scuba, our mission is to build skilled, confident divers who are as prepared as they are passionate. We believe that DAN insurance and quality training go hand-in-hand — both are essential to responsible, enjoyable diving.

For less than the cost of a weekend dive trip, DAN insurance offers:

24/7 emergency assistance anywhere in the world
Access to dive medicine experts
Fast and reliable claims handling
Financial protection from unexpected accidents

So before your next dive trip, make sure your DAN membership and insurance are current, and ensure your training matches your diving goals.

Because at Stuart Scuba, we believe every dive should be memorable — for the right reasons.

“Safety isn’t about limiting your experience — it’s about making sure you can keep diving for years to come,” says Nikki Hadfield. “That’s what we teach, and that’s what DAN helps protect.”