Cement Truck overturns on to Villa???

cocosmom · Post by **cocosmom** » Wed May 23, 2012 5:12 am

They said he was free diving and had the blackout. ( not the latest victim)

“Shallow Water Blackout is the sudden loss of consciousness caused by oxygen starvation following a breath holding dive,” according to www.scuba-doc.com. “Once you lose consciousness you are likely to drown. The blackout occurs quickly, insidiously and without warning.”

Minde, so much for free diving! Too scared now...and he was young.

jigzmom · Post by **jigzmom** » Wed May 23, 2012 9:14 am

Knolmom wrote:Pia--do you know anything more about the truck v. villa story...which villa was it? Boy, I always run right into the bathroom when I check into a villa..I would have been squashed.(Not making light of the situation for this poor fellow's daughter. Hope she was an adult.)

Yes, the daughter is college-age. I'm just guessing, from her father's comment of "we almost lost" her, that she was in or near the bathroom when it happened. Still don't know which villa they were in. I'll post more if I hear from him.

stjchica · Post by **stjchica** » Wed May 23, 2012 9:16 am

That is so sad about Alexander. He was young and in good shape it sounds like...Prayers to his family~

PA Girl · Post by **PA Girl** » Wed May 23, 2012 10:12 am

Very sad for both families.

Not that long ago, someone had a thread on TA about getting into trouble snorkelling at Waterlemon. I contributed about my own experience as did many others about how the current can be very dangerous. (that woman may not have been impacted by the current)

Knolmom · Post by **Knolmom** » Wed May 23, 2012 5:54 pm

Pa Girl
I have posted here about the trouble that I got into at Waterlemon. In 2007, after coming to St John for over 10 years, I had my first opportunity to snorkel Waterlemon off the Palma Bella. I was with 3 others, and when they started swimming back to the boat, I violated the first rule of snorkeling..the buddy system... by remaining behind alone. I thought I would be OK because I could see John and the others on the boat. I got swept away by the current and. ...wrong...they didn't notice me floundering. Somehow, in my panic, I remembered just to let go and float it out..much the same as being caught in a rip current. I really thought that I was going to become embedded in those sea creatures or cut by the coral but convinced myself that scenario would be better than drowning. Somehow I was able to regain my composure and get into calm, deep water Behind the islands where I could get back to the boat. I said, snorkeling.... "Never Again". Little did I know that this would ring so true. I had the accident about 10 days later and now I am unable even to swim...but boy can I float.

chrisn · Post by **chrisn** » Wed May 23, 2012 6:20 pm

So sad about the drownings...There was one I believe at Waterlemon when we were on our charter. Were listening over the radio. Scary.

I will say that I believe Waterlemon is NOT for the novice snorkeler, and for those of you with little experience, or if you get the least bit anxious in snorkeling situations...just don't do it. I don't think I would do it again, unless...maybe off a dingy with someone in it...watching.

Also, the free diving thing. My 14 year old does it. Scares me to death!

Always a good idea to have safety first in mind.

mindehankins · Post by **mindehankins** » Wed May 23, 2012 6:58 pm

Knolmom, so GLAD you made it back! Waterlemon, and any other remote place with a current, make me very nervous and I'm not at all adventurous in those situations.
As far as the freediving, from what I've read, shallow water blackout happens to more experienced and adventurous and competitive people. ChrisN, it might do some good to show your boy the articles about it, especially as it relates to competitions and competitive swimming. At least insist that he is always WATCHED by someone who is capable of getting him out of the water and rescuscitating him.

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