Dive Club Liability

[RoadRacer1978]

The other post about your liability when it comes to your dive budd and his safety got me to thinking. Since we are starting up a new dive club is liability something that should be addressed. We all know diving can be considered a dangerous sport. So my question is, as the person organizing a dive and bringing people together for the sole purpose of diving, can I be held liable for for an accident someone might have?

I am wondering if any of you that belong to dive clubs signed a liability waiver as part of membership? Would a waiver be something I should look into? I know that privately owned dive spots and dive operations make you sign them to dive with them or at their location. Would the club need to as well? I am not planning to have any DM led dives. It is more of a social activity with people meeting at a predetermined location and getting together to dive.

Any thoughts on the matter would be appreciated and if you do belong to a club I would really appreciate knowing if you had to sign a waiver.

It seems that when looking at oter dive clubs on te net that a lot of them have liability waivers. Guess I might need to talk to an attorney and find out the particulars for Oklahoma.

Thanks,
Dwayne

[Ohmdiver]

Hey RR'78,

I am wondering if any of you that belong to dive clubs signed a liability waiver as part of membership?

Yes, this waiver "Hold Harmless" form not only protects the club, but also any members who host a dive event at thier property. It is a good idea in these times of law suits.

I will add that once at a dive function my daughter broke her arm, some people were immediatally concerned that the waiver was signed. Funny thing is that I believe we are all responsible for our own actions, and every boo-boo is not an invitation to cash in. But that is just me.

It does not need to be very fancy, but you might want to see what your state requires.

[RoadRacer1978]

Thanks for your reply. That is what I was thinking. Never thought about it before, but with the other post about liability, it really got me thinking. I have been searching the web and looking at other club liability release forms and think I can come up with one myself. Once I get it all together I will take it to an attorney and have them look it over to make sure it will work in this state and that everything is in order.

[Ohmdiver]

Auburn Skin Divers Association

This the form from my club. Could be a start.

[RoadRacer1978]

Thanks. I'll add it to the collection I am putting together. I figure if I compile enough of them and read each one then I can put together one that should work. I hate to do something like this and it seems to take away from the fun of starting a club, but unfotunately in todays society it is a must. I am sure everyone involved will understand. Thanks again for your help.

[Ohmdiver]

Any time.

For the record our club will be celebrating our 50th Anniversery in 2009. Have you come across any clubs older? and if so who?

[RoadRacer1978]

Wow, how cool. 50 years. I am relatively new to diving and have not been a part of any clubs. So I haven't seen any that are anywhere close to that.

Did a quick search. The Diving Rebels in Texas have been around since 1958 so they are right there with ya. Diving Rebels: Learn more about who we are! You guys must have formed your club when SCUBA was something new.

The seasabers claim to be the oldest dive club in the US starting in 1953.
Sea Sabres Dive Site With a date like that, they may just be.

Congrats again on the upcoming Anniversary. That is a truly amazing accomplishment. I am sure everyone in the club is proud to be a part of it. Any original members still active in the club?

[ReefHound]

Our dive club is incorporated as a non-profit and an explicit waiver is required for each activity event by each participant. If you are going to personally play the role of divemaster, whether officially one or not, you might consider professional liability insurance.

[Cambria]

Another issue to consider is if you get to the point where the club has loaner equipment or it's own compressor. You would have to update the liability forms to cover any injuries that occur while using club equipment.

[nunofs]

Originally Posted by RoadRacer1978

Wow, how cool. 50 years. I am relatively new to diving and have not been a part of any clubs. So I haven't seen any that are anywhere close to that.

FWIW, the "North Shore Frogmen" (north of Boston) are also celebrating their 50th anniversary next year: NSF 50th Reunion Information & Reservations