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

We feel terrible for the Family,what a sad thing to happen on a Great ,Fun day with Family and Friends.I didn't use a vest on our last trip to Hol Chan but believe me ,I will on our next visit in May.I know I got exhausted the last time and had a panic attach but Lil Alphonso got me back to the boat..Scared the Hell out of me...So Please EVERYONE wear a vest,if not for yourself but for your Loved ones..

A defibrillator only works on a certain type of heart rhythm, V-Tach. When you see the "flat line" on tv and movies and they zap the guy and he wakes up and kisses the girl...That's BS.
I agree that one in good working order be available for use on the dock where it is dry to prevent injury to the rescuers.
CPR saves very few people and unless they can get to an operating room ASAP there is minimal chance of waking up and kissing the girl. Oxygen is actually a great help to heart attack patients still awake.
Belize-n-Us or Sun&sand could also add in their 2 pennies worth of advice, but the island is really lacking in emergency medicine help. I have spoken with the Mayor and Minister of Tourism at great length about the EMS issue facing the island.
Something needs to be done soon.

I bought Nitroglycerin tablets at the pharmacy across from Leno's Meats. They were about $1.65 bze (or something like that). My husband carries half a dozen in his wallet and I carry the rest in my purse.

You never know. After reading about several deaths from heart-attacks on the island, I want to be prepared.

Island Ferry Emergency 226-3231
Island Ferry marine radio Channel 11
Captain Jason Edwards 620-7200 - President
Captain Sterling Vorus 610-3411

We would like to remind the public that the members of the Ambergris Caye Emergency Rescue (ACER) team have provided quality emergency medical care to persons suffering injuries or sudden illness for the last two years. Island Ferry is the focal point for the rescue team. All their boat Captains are being trained in First Aid, CPR and use of AEDs. Their dispatchers serve as a point of contact and will send the appropriate personnel to the incident. Island Ferry's boats can respond up and down the coast of Ambergris Caye and have personnel and supplies on site within a short time. We also offer water ambulance service for patients needing to go to Belize City. We also have other members that have previous experience in rescue and have offered their services to the team. We are looking for new members that can help the organization grow. Whether you want to be involved in emergencies or just help with organizing the group. We can use your help.

Well said ScubaWalk!

They do a great job.They have excellent training and they are dedicated. More people need to be aware of their free service.
Pass this info to your friends and stick the numbers near your phones, enter it into your cell phones.

When we (my 10 year old daughter who is a very strong swimmer and myself) were at Hol Chan last week we were putting on our snorkel vest and someone asked us what it was. I don't know if it is because the vest is bright yellow instead or orange but I was shocked that they were not use to seeing them. I require my daughter to wear one and am very glad that I wore one on this last trip. Coming back in I felt like I was not moving at all and got tired fast. I had to take a break for the first time ever when I was snorkeling. Anyone swimming with children should use these.

Questions and concerns about emergency response certainly influenced our decision not to buy a casita 10 miles north of town. The information provided by Scubawalk eases those concerns slightly, but no matter how you cut it, it is still 1/2 hour by boat in good weather. It's hard to ignore reality, even in paradise.

This is good information, thanks.

For the record, his name was David Cobb. Our deepest condolences to his wife Iris, his siblings and the Cobb - Bazalo families.

Sincerely,