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Coast Guard officers also coordinated with personnel
of the fire department, as well as with private
paramedics to move the tourist to the clinic. /
National Coast Guard Service courtesy photos
Coastguard rescued U.S. tourist who suffered respiratory problems while diving |
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By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
On Saturday, rescuers from the station of the National Coast Guard Service of Flamingo*, in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, rescued a U.S. citizen surnamed Smith, 32, who suffered respiratory problems while diving. Rescuers' report that the incident took place in the vicinity of the Santa Catalina Island* about 10 kilometers away from the Flamingo coast. The area is a recognized site for recreational and professional diving. The coastguard moved interceptor boat GC 38-18 to the Santa Catalina Island, and then transported the tourist to the Flamingo Station. "The woman suffered decompression while diving, so she received first aid," the rescuers said in its report. According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, decompression sickness is a disorder in which nitrogen dissolved in the blood and tissues by high-pressure forms bubbles as pressure decreases. Symptoms can include fatigue and pain in muscles and joints. In the most severe type, symptoms may be similar to those of stroke and can include difficulty breathing and chest pain. People are treated with oxygen and recompression therapy (high-pressure, or hyperbaric oxygen). Limiting the depth and duration of dives and the speed of ascent can help with prevention. The Coast Guard officers also coordinated with personnel of the fire department, as well as with private paramedics to move the tourist to the clinic of the town of Huacas* in Santa Cruz. "The patient was brought in stable condition,” the rescuers said. According to Red Cross, during the recent Holy Week, were reported 208 people at risk of drowning, 45 people died and were attended 1,223 emergencies. On March 29, as AM Costa Rica reported, the Coastguard officers of the station of Caldera, Puntarenas rescued a U.S. citizen, surnamed Meyer-Goer, 20 years old, who had suffered an accident while he was windsurfing in the Gulf of Nicoya*. The officers report that, at 6 p.m. they received the emergency call about a man who had been seen floating in deep Gulf waters. "After several minutes of searching, the officers observed a surfboard of bright colors, floating in the sea, the man was holding [on] between the board and the sails," said the coastguard on its report. The officers rescued the tourist and after a medical examination at the site, he was taken to the coastguard station. According to Captain Luis Miranda, head of the Coast Guard station, "we did a routine medical check-up and he did not have anything serious. We took him to the place where he had left his car to continue his trip. We found him in time. " According to the testimony Meyer-Goer gave to the officers, he was practicing his windsurfing skills when the strong winds that came up were a surprise. "The weather was ideal, but suddenly the wind began to blow and to blow ... and I could not return. When I realized it was far away. It was difficult for me to go back. It was about six in the afternoon when some cargo ship called to the coastguards. I could not get back, thank God they found me and helped me," said Meyer-Goer. ------------- Have you heard of risk of decompression sickness while diving? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com |
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