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20
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WINTER 2012
DIVE SLATE
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H
onduran lobster divers regularly dive
far beyond safe limits (See “Harvesting
Divers at Risk,” Alert Diver, Fall
2010). These divers come primarily from the
communities of Miskito Indians living in eastern
Honduras and Nicaragua, and they make as
many as 14 to 16 dives a day to 100 feet or more
for 12 straight days. On occasion they dive as
far offshore as four days’ steam from land. The
Miskito divers often ignore minor aches and
pains, reporting symptoms of decompression illness only when
their condition becomes so bad they can no longer stand, walk
or urinate on their own.
In 2010 the Honduran government declared lobster
harvesting using scuba would end after the 2010-11 season.
Pressure from various groups convinced the government to
extend the season for two more
years, largely because no steps had
been taken to provide the Miskito
Indians any alternative means to
make a living. There are no plans
to extend the lobster diving beyond
2013, but lobster boat captains
hope if they improve their safety
records and operational practices
over the next two years they will
convince the government to allow
the harvesting to continue.
Realizing the need to change
the way they do business, the
Association of Industrial Fishermen
of the Atlantic Coast of Honduras
(APICAH) mandated diving first aid
programs for all boat captains prior
to the reopening of the 2011 diving
season. Local physician Dr. Elmer
Mejia and DAN® staff members
provided specially tailored education
in oxygen administration, recognition
of decompression illness, outfitting
first aid kits and use of Foley
catheters. More than 60 boat captains
participated in the training.
In addition to conducting
training to help prevent injuries,
Harvesting Divers
Update
On the front lines
of decompression illness
E R I C DOUG L A S
14_thru_25(dive_slate).indd 20
12/28/11