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The team conducted training
modules, introducing, reviewing and
practicing essential skills with the
chamber operators and attendants.
Nochetto also conducted a three-
hour session for three local doctors
and 12 nurses that included lectures
about recompression therapy,
oxygen first aid for scuba diving
injuries and a series of case reviews.
According to Dr. Gijs Koot, one of
Saba’s two practicing physicians, “I
learned more in those three hours
than I learned in a week the last
time I underwent training.”
Establishing relationships with
remote chambers is one of the most
mutually rewarding elements of the
site visit, as it makes future emergency
calls run more smoothly. “When you
spend a few days with these people,
share meals with them and get to
know them, you bond with them,”
Nochetto explained. “Then when
they have a case it is easy for them
to pick up the phone and call. That’s
great for us because we won’t make
blind referrals; it’s great for them
because they know we won’t send
them a patient they’re not equipped
to handle; and last but not least, it’s
great for divers because we will only
send them where they can be treated
effectively.” Koot reiterated Nochetto’s
sentiment, saying that the visit “makes
future calls for advice much smoother
now that we know each other.”
When the Fort Bay chamber
received its new patient, the RCAP
visit was nearing its end. Within
15 minutes of being notified that
the diver was demonstrating
symptoms, Nochetto was at the
pier with the attending physician,
Gina Boorsma, M.D., and the EMS
crew, McCafferty was in scrubs and
ready to join the patient and other
attendant in the chamber for the
duration of treatment, and Schinazi
was helping staff prepare the
chamber. It was the first treatment
conducted in that chamber in years,
and for most of the staff it was their
first time treating a patient.
“Nobody likes to hear about a
diver developing DCS,” Nochetto
said, “but this ended up being an
extraordinary opportunity. Not only
did the staff have the opportunity to
put their skills to use immediately
after training, but they also
demonstrated their commitment
to providing exceptional treatment
and did a wonderful job.” After
a U.S. Navy Treatment Table 6
recompression treatment with two
extensions, the patient emerged
almost completely free of symptoms.
With its chamber now up and
running and chamber staff properly
trained, Saba can add recompression
therapy to its repertoire of medical
capabilities. By raising the level of its
operation, the clinic serves not only
the dive community, but also any
members of the Saba community who
may require hyperbaric treatment for
other medical conditions.
Overall, the visit was constructive
for the Saba chamber team and the
DAN team alike. “It was quite an
experience,” McCafferty recounted.
“Everything I saw showed me they
really wanted to know how to take
care of people when necessary. I
would feel very confident if one of
our members needed treatment in
Saba.” Then he added, “And I can’t
even remember the last time I ate
fish that fresh.” AD
Saba Health Care Foundation’s
A.M. Edwards Medical Center
Right: The Saba Conservation
Foundation’s hyperbaric
chamber at Fort Bay silver
cinema of dreams
800-451-3737
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MATÍAS NOCHETTO
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