In Reply to: Another wrinkle posted by - on January 11, 2006 at 15:20:25:

This may have something to do with "voluntary chamber donations" where resorts ask for donations with the explanation that giving the donation ensures no deposit will be required in the event one needs chamber treatment.

When we went to Belize in 2002 a "voluntary chamber donation" was asked of us. We were new divers at the time and hadn't known anything of this practice. We were already DAN mambers and sorta felt it was a type of extortion but we paid it.

One of the dive mags may have written something on this topic recently. If I recall correctly, the writer suggested it was a good way to further support the local chambers who are underfunded. I'll have to look at the article again and see if I get a different take on it this time!

Debbie Karimoto