Author: Elliott

I have been assisting a Rescue Diver course over the past few days. They completed their training successfully earlier today.

I “drowned” and was saved over 50 times.

It’s overcast!! And a freezing 80F!!

25L per USD

This guy barely escaped being road-kill. He’s about 18 inches from tip of nose to tip of tail.

It’s now almost a month since I completed the EMT-B course and have been thinking about the experience and what I learned.

Over the years, I have taken CPR many times. And for diving I have take Emergency First Responder (EFR).

EMT was obviously much more intensive.

I highly recommended everyone having their CPR certification at a minimum. Preferably with EFR.

In fact, for those that have time, I think EMT is a good investment in understanding the human body and the skills that are necessary to help save a life. That could be a stranger or a loved one. Some communities offer free classes. And it may be available at low cost at your community college.

The experience taught me much about some common ailments for the young and old.

I’m much more appreciative of those with severe allergies. (If you have one, if you don’t have a current Epi-Pen, get it updated).

Likewise, I have a better understanding of diabetes and simple to ways to aid some one in diabetic distress.

As for chronic heart and lung illnesses, the training was a real eye opener. The ways we age and the conditions we find ourselves when we don’t take care of each other.

Which leads me to the philosophy of EMS services.

Essentially EMS is designed to give service to anyone with no questions asked, regardless of their ability to pay. A public service.

And that’s expensive. So in the end we end up paying lots of money for a select few that abusive themselves. Or the system. Or both.

I struggle with the system. Is there a way to incentivize behavior that leads people away from needing this type of service chronically? I don’t know. But I’m as equally horrified if the society or, worse, the government started picking who can receive treatment or not. I don’t know.

There is real cynicism in our EMS communities because it can be abused. I heard this cynicism first hand in the stories of repeat Overdoses being treated over a period of time before that person got someone else killed And cynicism from people that abuse their bodies with with alcohol and tobacco to the point where they are falling apart. Or from accidents from “stupid human tricks.”

And then there is the heart stopping fear that you see in the eyes of someone that thinks they are dying. That weight is heavy for these EMT/Paramedics.

I tip my hat to the police, firefighters and EMS services. It’s a low paying profession that is exposed to much risk, witness such waste and stupidity and unbelievable suffering. These professional practitioners deserve our thanks.

Today was a day of firsts.

I rented my first bike today and that was a bust! More walking! (See earlier post)

A buddy, Eric, and I dove together to practice skills…we judged each other so…

An instructor asked me to assist a relatively advanced class called Rescue Diver. No word yet on how well I performed: I made a few mistakes, but was invited to assist for more tomorrow so…

I met a few more people and became a bit less of an outsider. I got some e-cig juice from someone leaving the island soon (yay or not yay after 4 days). (More on the transient nature later)

I cooked my first meal at home: whole wheat pasta with some Hormel Chili…quite good actually.

I went out on the beach this evening. East facing. Full moon. Full breeze. Quite nice.

It’s quite hard work actually. This past couple months were spent being a student. Which I haven’t been in a long while. This past has WEEK has been especially challenging—-I almost screwed up a buoy tie up!! And The Capt let me know. “This boat not secured Maan!”

Earlier this evening they sent out a boat of ours with a lot of folks; to celebrate some that had ccomplished their instructor cert. I didn’t go. These kids go hard. Perhaps if I make instructor.

Btw, the instruction is quite rigorous and challenging for an old fart like me!!

I’m lucky to be doing this, of course and have learned quite a bit already.

Got some messages from folks on their flight and subway and traffic struggles. I hear ya!!! I remember those things. Would like to say there are less struggles here. Just different.

More tomorrow.

We are required to do a beach clean up service project for Dive Master.

Eric and I road bikes out to the east side of the island and brought back a haul of garbage. Quite sad. Tons of plastic. It’s mostly run off from the islands and mainland. When it rains, it empties the litter in the The rivers and into the ocean.

I rented a true beater for L120 (about $5)….what a rip-off. Hardly any breaks, no gears, a skipping chain, and very low tires.

Basic skills in the AM.

2 boat dives in the PM.

Then class for 2 hours in the evening.

Intense. More tomorrow.

So this is bare bones living. I’ve had brief doubts about being here for 4 months but it’s kinda of interesting. I’ve already noticed elements of frugality and behavior changes.

Cement floor. Ceiling fans. An AC unit in bedroom that is quite sufficient. In fact, the AC unit here and at the hotel were a bit too good. Sometimes too cool. I think the thermostats read high: for example, 78F is actually freezing. Maybe I’m getting used to the heat.

I took a 1 hour nap this afternoon with just the ceiling fan (no AC) and was actually fine. Admittedly the apt is on the east side which gets tons of breeze. It doesn’t get into the apt much tho.

This is the water heater for shower. Yes it’s an electric unit on the shower head. From a plug over the shower head. Ok!! (The booklet for room says “use with dry hands!” Ok!)

All rooms, hotel and this one, have water bottles. It’s about $1.50 for 5gallons, they deliver. 25c tip is appreciated.

Haven’t tested the gas stove or the Frig yet. Maybe later this week. I’m 6am-8pm tomorrow pretty much.

Took my laundry in tonight. About one load. 150 Lempira—->$6. NYC a little less…I don’t think it will be in dryer, prolly just hung out.

There was a rabbit outside when I left the apt this afternoon. I’m not talking about a wild rabbit. This was what appeared to me to be a fat, domesticated bunny that was just posted out in the yard. I won’t say there are a lot of feral cats, but there are some. I legit was worried that this was an escaped pet from a neighbor that was gonna get whacked!

There is an electric meter on the bedroom wall. Electricity is pre-pay and is probably gonna be between $2-6 per day depending on my AC use. They “say” that other electrical items don’t use much. I think I will run an experiment.

Bought groceries today. Here is an accounting> toothpaste, bar of soap, liter of Stoli, 2 cans chick peas, 2 cans chili, pound of rice, pound of whole wheat pasta, 2 huge grape fruit, 12 bananas, 2 huge cantaloupes.