AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Heart failure claims snorkler's life

Was Mr. Gregor wearing a snorkeling vest? I believe unless you are in excellent shape and use to swimming a lot and being out in the ocean, you should always wear a vest when snorkeling. If you get tired, just put a little air in the vest and relax. If something happens, it's easier for others to drag you in if your head is above the water.

You never know what conditions will arise during your snorkeling trip. Also, the vest keeps you up off of the coral in more shallow areas.

I was the only one with a vest on when we snorkeled Hol Chan last June, and I am a good swimmer but wore the vest to keep myself up off of the coral since the water level was low. Everyone else was kicking the heck out of the coral. That drives me crazy.

My sympathies go out to his family but if you gotta go, give me a diving/snorkeling accident even a shark attack any day.

How the heck did they go out there without a tour guide?

It was the boat of a resident of San Pedro. The people on the boat were long time friends of the guy living here in San Pedro. They were just in town for the week. He was just taking his friend and his friends wife out to snorkel. It's an unfortunate accident and they are all in our prayers.

For novice snorkelers, I always suggest that they take a day and go snorkeling off of a pier somewhere.....just to get acclimated to the water, swimming in salt water, etc. I think it's just good practice.

I personally wear a life jacket whenever I go out, just because I don't tire as easily and can stay out longer that way.

Shuffles, couldn't agree more. It's a shame what happened. A simple, fun outing went so horribly wrong. You can snorkle forever in a snorkel vest/life jacket.

This is such a sad story to read. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Gregor.

That being said, there certainly have been some very valid points made about the snorkeling around AC, and snorkeling in general as far as I am concerned. CPR and first aid are fantastic skills that anyone can apply once the skills have been learned. Adventure service employees and their companies may want to look into this training then hyping up that training in their sales pitches, brocures, etc. It would definitely be a major benefit for their customers if only for peace of mind.

Also, I enjoyed my 1 and only outing snorkeling while in AC. It was at Hol Chan. The guides definitely recommended using vests, however allowed it to be at personal discression. I am not a world class swimmer and therefore chose to use the vest. I will continue to use a vest each time. Public education regarding safeguards available may be another avenue needing to be persued. People should be able to make up their own minds, but knowledge is generally helpful in such an endevor.

For the amount of $ they charge to visit Hol Chan the "Warden"and I use the term loosely, should be equipped for every concievable water related emergency.
Not just a cash register.

Don't you get electrocuted if you use a de-fib in a wet place?

I sorta laughed at this question, but then thought: electrocution and electrocuted are not the same.
There is this: According to the American Heart Association (Guidelines
2000), metal surfaces "pose no shock hazard to either victim or rescuer". In the case of water, the
American Heart Association (Guidelines 2000), recommend removing the victim from freestanding water
and drying the victim's chest before using the AED.

The rescuer will however probably absorb more current if they are wet or partially submerged.

As someone already said, the new, idiot-proof defibrilators certainly merit the investment. Oldsters like me tend to prefer outfits so outfitted.

Condolences to the man's family and friends.

I haven't been there yet. You have to have a guide to go there?

Sad story and my prayers go out to his family.

I'm old, overweight and out of shape. When I went snorkeling at Hon Chan, I should of used a vest. I choose not to, but our guide carried a floation device that any of us could hold to if needed. Next time I will wear a vest as skippy says. Old guys, still feeling young, should take care!