Taking Care of the Kids

[skip]

I read the recent UWS articles on safety (Jim Wyatt's, then Ralph DiPanfilo's) and was struck by the sentence (DiPanfilo): "All too often spouses and children are left without a mother or father and no financial support...."

Seems like the NSS/CDS and the NACD and other's could create a fund to help those who lost not just a loved one, but a significant portion of their livelihood. I'd pay increased dues for such a fund and make special annual contributions.

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[Kelly Jessop]

I read the recent UWS articles on safety (Jim Wyatt's, then Ralph DiPanfilo's) and was struck by the sentence (DiPanfilo): "All too often spouses and children are left without a mother or father and no financial support...."

Seems like the NSS/CDS and the NACD and other's could create a fund to help those who lost not just a loved one, but a significant portion of their livelihood. I'd pay increased dues for such a fund and make special annual contributions.

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It would be nice to find a term life policy that doesn't have a cave diving exclusion

[RH]

Sorry but I have to disagree if this is a problem spend time with your children and get a good life ins policy and have bar BQs for the little league and PTAs go play golf and go fishing,I don't want to pay for your mistake,I have my affairs in order if you don't then don't go CAVE DIVING

[Bob]

Sorry but I have to disagree if this is a problem spend time with your children and get a good life ins policy and have bar BQs for the little league and PTAs go play golf and go fishing,I don't want to pay for your mistake,I have my affairs in order if you don't then don't go CAVE DIVING

Agree.

[Tony]

Agree.

I dont... many organizations have funds to help support families. The marine corp has a fund to pay for the college education of kids of marines killed in service... just an example.

I would be more than happy to contribute in support of kids and families in need, regardless of the circumstances...

Regardless of the details, regardless of circumstance, you still have compassion for the kids... they had no role in what has happend, not their fault... but they are impacted.

More than happy to help.

[Bob]

This is a recreational sport, not a natural disaster. You caused this by your own actions (or inactions). Man up - Take care of your own. Don't leave your family in a condition that requires my help.

I see your point and respect it, but do not agree with it.

Bob

[marinediver]

I dont... many organizations have funds to help support families. The marine corp has a fund to pay for the college education of kids of marines killed in service... just an example.

I would be more than happy to contribute in support of kids and families in need, regardless of the circumstances...

Regardless of the details, regardless of circumstance, you still have compassion for the kids... they had no role in what has happend, not their fault... but they are impacted.

More than happy to help.

As a Marine myself I support the fund for children of fallen service members. Those men gave their lives selflessly for others. I was in two combat zones, if I was to have died I would not expect anyone to pay for my family, but I would greatly appreciate it. Now, if I go and get myself killed in Little river doing something that I think is fun and is all for me then I died selfishly and no one is responsable to pay for my screw up.

[Tony]

It would be nice to find a term life policy that doesn't have a cave diving exclusion

Are you saying I need to read the fine print on my life insurance policy??? crap... there is an issue I haven't yet thought about....

Will have the "insurance dude" on this tomorrow!

[skip]

It would be nice to find a term life policy that doesn't have a cave diving exclusion

I understand that self-responsibility is the key to cave diving, but recently we've seen deaths that simply were not the fault of the diver. Sure, let's hope they were conscientious enough to have things set up for their surviving family, but that's not always possible, and it's not always what you think it is. As Kelly points out, many policies exclude activities like scuba diving (let alone cave diving).

As I understand it the NSS/CDS (and maybe NACD) have attempted in the past to find a group policy they could offer. Surely there are cave divers who are also insurance brokers reading this forum...?

As for a fund, I was thinking of something like the police and fire departments have. They recognize the responsibility of the group to look after their own in times of need, when the individual was simply unable to. A volunteer fund (not part of dues) would seem to satisfy those who care and those who don't. Even if it's no more than a flower fund (although more something more substantial and more long-lasting would be nicer), at least it's a way to let the surviving family know that membership means more than paying dues.

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[rchrds]

I understand that self-responsibility is the key to cave diving, but recently we've seen deaths that simply were not the fault of the diver.

I think you would have to give a couple of examples of this.

I, for one, would not ever vote for an increase in dues to cover people who are not financially responsible enough to determine if death due to their past time will impact their families. If you feel that you dont want to pay the additional insurance to cover your cave diving and keep your family secure, then perhaps you are too cheap to be cave diving, or perhaps cave diving is more important than your family. Either way, if you want to set up an independent fund for irresponsible (or unlucky?) cave divers, by all means, but dont force it on those that do take care of things.

jason

p.s. thanks again for the tent!