California Diving News

George “Corky” Reed lost his battle with cancer this Thanksgiving. Though he was very much behind the scenes at Saint Brendan Corporation, many knew him as the helpful information man at the SCUBA Shows these past 13 years. He was lovingly refered to as our “ballast” at California Diving News.

Saint Brendan suffered a great loss with every staff member affected. He leaves behind his wife of 44 years, CDN Editor-Mary Lou Reed; his daughter CDN Executive Editor-Kim Reed Sheckler (Dale Sheckler); his son CDN advertising manager-David Reed; and daughter SCUBA Show staffer, Kelly Reed Rodono. The entire balance of the SCUBA Show staff were related to Corky Reed in some way shape or form, including CDN/Show Assistant Lisa DuRoss who was Corky’s niece. Corky will be greatly missed, but we know that he is on the best dive anyone could ever imagine—and he doesn’t even have to wear a hood.

Concept Systems, Inc., the parent company of Scuba Schools International, is proud to announce the formation of a new company—Scuba Rangers.

Scuba Rangers is a pool-based scuba program for children ages 8 through 12 years old that was originally offered by Scuba Schools International. However, the program began producing amazing, unexpected results that led Concept Systems, Inc., to see it in a whole new light.

Concept Systems began envisioning an international, non-political youth outreach program. Talks with Scuba Schools International training facilities convinced Concept Systems that the program should be spun off as a completely separate company and opened up to the world.

The new Scuba Rangers company is a “way cool kids club” on an important mission. We will be a different kind of company—focused, creative, playful and passionate.

The mission of Scuba Rangers is simple: to involve children in scuba diving so they can experience the excitement of water exploration. Our goal is to reach hundreds of thousands of kids and their families in the next few years.

The marketing of Scuba Rangers will be exciting, unique and specific to children. A cast of animated characters, the Scuba Ranger Friends, will help teach children about safety practices and responsible diving. The Scuba Ranger Friends will also be involved in promotions involving strategic partnerships with key companies inside and outside the diving industry.

Along with our success, there will be a major infusion of new, energetic, excited people into the diving community. They’ll buy equipment, go on trips, subscribe to magazines, and support local dive stores.

For more information, call Scuba Rangers Headquarters at 970-221-2813 for a copy of our information guide, or visit www.ScubaRangers.com on the web.

DAN Preferred Plan Offers New Levels of Dive Insurance Coverage

Divers Alert Network, Inc. (DAN), the most well-known provider of dive accident insurance, has introduced the DAN Preferred Plan to its members.

For less than $100 a year, DAN members can now enjoy the peace of mind provided by DAN membership and insurance, which includes DAN TravelAssist emergency medical evacuation assistance benefits and the DAN Preferred Plan, one of the most comprehensive dive accident plans available.

The DAN Preferred Plan offers up to $250,000 per occurrence. As with the Master Plan, the Preferred Plan does not restrict the depth or gas mixtures of the recreational divers who hold this policy.

While dramatically increasing coverage for skin and scuba diving injuries, the Plan also offers medical coverage for injuries not related to diving and which occur outside the insured’s home country. It also provides coverage for dive vacation cancellation and interruption.

Betty Orr, Insurance Director for DAN Services, which administers the Plan, said the new coverage follows ideas implicit in DAN’s mission. “The Plan champions a belief at DAN that members should be able to choose their level of risk in the dive accident insurance policy,” Orr said. “The Preferred Plan is the best, most comprehensive dive accident insurance plan that DAN has ever offered.”

The Plan, underwritten by the United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, provides these special benefits:
—Up to $250,000 per dive accident occurrence, more than twice the coverage of the DAN Master Plan;
—Up to $10,000 for losses to an injured person, if trip is cancelled pre-departure.*
—Up to $5,000 if injury or illness after departure results in the trip’s cancellation.*
—Up to $2,000 for extra transportation, up to $3,000 for extra accommodations if a covered dive accident occurs.

All coverage is limited to the terms and conditions of the policy. Please consult the policy for details.

For more information on the DAN Preferred Plan, call DAN Membership at 1-800-446-2761 or +1-919-684-2948 and press 3 or visit their website at www.DiversAlertNetwork.org

*Subject to $250 deductible

DAN Unveils Improved Website

The new DAN website offers more medical information, more photos and even videos to view and the ability to buy DAN products on-line.

In addition to serving as the most comprehensive keyword search database of dive health and safety information, the site allows prospective and current members to join or renew membership, enroll in insurance and keep up to date on important DAN medical and research projects. Other features include:
—A 360-degree IPIX tour of the hyperbaric/hyperbaric chambers at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., where DAN does all of its lab research.
—A greatly expanded Medical Information section, with more than twice as many medical questions and answers than before.
—An online DAN Product Catalog where you can buy your favorite DAN Products online.
—DAN’s award-winning magazine “Alert Diver.” Members can view several articles from each issue of the magazine, while non-members can view one.
—A correction form for members to enter their personal information in the Members Section.
—Details on new DAN programs like First Aid for Hazardous Marine Life Injuries and DAN’s new Life Insurance program.
—In the ‘About DAN’ section, you can even watch the “This is DAN” video.

Eric Douglas, a journalist, a dive instructor and dive medical technician, was recently named the DAN Web Editor. His experience and valuable skills will contribute to DAN and its mission of diving and aquatic safety. If you have any comments about the site, perhaps things you’d like to see posted, let him know at edouglas@dan.duke.edu.

Again, the improved DAN website can be found at www.DiversAlertNetwork.org.