The Wilmington Star News reported two scuba diving deaths off the North Carolina coast one Thursday, October 13th and another on Sunday, October 16th. I’m following this sport more closely because my 10 year old son is strongly interested in diving and in particular in diving for megladon shark’s teeth. He has read Steve Alten‘s Meg and has become a fan of the writer and his series on megladons. Both deaths involved hunting for these prehistoric fossils at Megalodon Ledge. Donald Zantop, 59 years old was described by his wife as an experienced diver. Amy Pieno, age 48, was the co owner of a Outer Banks Diving in Hatteras, NC. Presumably as a dive shop owner, she was very experienced. Megalodon Ledge’s average depths are 100′ to 110′.
How safe is diving? Statistics indicate it’s relatively safe, yet diving’s environment does not allow for much margin of error, especially the deeper a diver goes. I’m just about convinced that most hazardous sports are for those who are in shape and fairly young. But hey, it’s your life, and as long as your only risking your own, it’s your choice.
Our family has had these discussion before about hazardous sports. Several years ago a kid in the area, about 10, was doing a motorcross event, did a face plant and died. I’d rather hold off allowing my boys do certain hazardous activities until they are 18. Then being of age, I can shake their hand and wish them well. Their fate is up to them. If as a parent I allow them to do something hazardous under age 18 and something goes wrong, part of the guilt is going to be mine. Always.
Divers and life insurance
Over the years I quoted life insurance for scuba divers and have several as clients. Rates depend on the average depths of dives and frequency. Best available rates are possible if diving is limited and not too deep. Over 100 feet is generally considered deep. The most important thing is to admit diving on the application. Some applications are more favorable than others on the look back period on diving history. They all ask if you intend to dive in the future, usually in the next 2 years. Prudential, Genworth and American General come to mind as carriers that offer the most favorable underwriting. Prudential in particular is favorable.
