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Trip Reports: A Short Trip Results in a Short Trip Report
Bonaire Talk: Trip Reports: A Short Trip Results in a Short Trip Report
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Gallagher (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Friday, March 18, 2011 - 10:57 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Diana and I took a trip to Bonaire with a group from Wisconsin that started last Saturday. Our plan was to dive every day for a week and see the best reefs in the Western Hemisphere. We made our checkout dive Sunday morning at Buddy Dive and dove the house reef. After lunch we drove to 1000 Steps for our first shore dive. We suited up and walked down the steps to the beach. The transition from the last step to the beach is difficult. Several divers stumbled there. Diana was the last diver to come down. She stepped down to the ground, her ankle twisted and she broke both bones in the lower right leg. The dive team we were with helped us get her back up the stairs before the ambulance arrived. They took her to the island’s only hospital.

By comparison to call their system primitive would be a compliment. They took only one x-ray but it was clear that it was fractured. They still use plaster casts and their selection of pain medication is extremely limited. DAN med-evaced her out to the US. It took 4 segments to get back.

We encountered all sorts of friends, strangers and new friends who helped us get to our home-town hospital. It’s amazing how many people travel with their own supply of Vicoden.

At this moment Diana is in surgery getting the permanent repairs done with plates and screws. We’ll let you know how she does.

We have a dive trip planned for STJ in 100 days. She will be focusing on therapy and rehab so she will be ready to dive.

JIM

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By KOB (LBR32) (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #530) on Friday, March 18, 2011 - 11:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wow, Jim. Sorry to hear of your (and especially Diana's) bad luck. Those steps can be a little tricky with 40 lbs. of gear on your back. Best of lck to Diana with healing and have a great trip to STJ.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Judy Workman (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #274) on Friday, March 18, 2011 - 11:36 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

That's so sad :( Everyone should be able to enjoy the vacation they work all year to achieve!
I hate she was hurt but am grateful you found the help you needed to get her back safely. DAN is wonderful, as are the doctors on Bonaire. Hope she heals quickly and without too much pain.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Eric author of "Why is the Grass Green?" (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1622) on Friday, March 18, 2011 - 12:19 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

So sorry the trip ended that way. So glad you had DAN to help you out. Praying your wife heals and rehabs in time to make the 2nd trip.

e.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gail T.*********** (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #5062) on Friday, March 18, 2011 - 1:44 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

That must have been a huge disappointment, but I must say I don't detect that in your report. Your take on "It is what it is" is admirable, as is putting Diana's welfare as the focus of your report. Have a fabulous 'make up' trip to STJ's!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carol (BonaireTalker - Post #93) on Monday, March 21, 2011 - 5:32 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Now I know why you weren't on the return Delta flight on Saturday! I just figured you guys were staying for two weeks. Poor Diana! I hope she is up and about and on the mend real soon.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Gallagher (BonaireTalker - Post #22) on Monday, March 21, 2011 - 10:55 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yes, we thought about that when we were on the way home. You need to know it wasn't the diving that got her hurt. It was the walk to the water that did it.

BTW, she was released from the hospital today. She is now recuperating where she might actually get some sleep.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert J. Patch (BonaireTalker - Post #71) on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 - 5:41 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Why not just put an extra step at the bottom? Even a big coral rock would be better than nothing.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By C&D (BonaireTalker - Post #54) on Saturday, March 26, 2011 - 9:00 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Wow! Very sad ending to a trip to Bonaire! We're from Wisconsin, too...Have been to Bonaire 6 years in a row, but not this year. We have only done 1000 steps once - and, I must admit, a friend put my BC on his back and took my gear back up those terrible steps for me! We're in our late 50's and it's getting harder & harder to do those shore dives, but OHHHHH! they are the best! Good luck to your wife on her recovery~

 


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