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| Could the lack of a publicly-accessible recompression chamber in Escambia County slow the momentum to bring another large wreck to our local waters? |
Full disclosure, I am not a diver, I am not a subject matter expert. But I know folks that are so I reached out to a few that do know this topic.
On deep dives, there are multiple issues that can go wrong. Sometimes, a diver requires a re-compression chamber after a complication resulting from such a dive.
According to a constituent with whom I spoke--who is not anti-ship or anti-diver-- safety should be looked at when considering whether or not to bring the SS United States to the waters of Escambia --because there are no publicly available Re-compression chambers in Escambia County. The closest ones are in Mobile County to our West, and Bay County to our East.
This constituent lost her husband tragically due to a complication resulting from a deep dive on the Oriskany in 2016.
"There was no chamber here, and by the time the ambulance was taking him to Mobile---he died" she related.
Acording to a veteran, very well-versed diver who also has experience in healtcare with whom I spoke--Pensacola will never get a recompression chamber. "They are simply too expensive to purchase and staff for the one or two incidents per year they would be required to treat" said this individual. He continued--"After all, these hospitals are businesses at the end of the day, and this would be a huge expense that is also not covered by insurance."
According to this individual--divers must purchase their own, stand alone policies that cover such treatment in case of an emergency during a dive. The average, garden variety health insurance policy does not cover it.
I don't think the lack of a re-compression facility should dissuade us from looking seriously at bringing this wreck to Escambia County--but I do think a clear-eyed, iron clad protocol should be established that dictates severe diving related incidents MUST be treated utilizing an air ambulance that could get such a diver to Springhill in Mobile in a very short time--if such a service is needed. Perhaps the protocol should be discussed and codified.
Meanwhile, I received another call yesterday in support. This time from a very successful, local, and well-respected and wealthy real estate developer and outdoor enthusiast. He expressed support and optimism that our area could not only pull this off, but that this ship's stacks could be cut off allowing for the entirety of the ship to be sunk at depths where the average recreational diver could visit the whole ship safely.
"I only dive once every five years--but I will definitely want to dive this wreck if it is shallow and if we get it. If we were talking about another wreck at Oriskany's depth--I would not have called you, Jeff. This conversation would not be happening." He quipped.
So we will see how the conversations go in the next few weeks. Again, for my support and yes vote, it has to be funded, completely, utilizing non ad-valorem revenues and no LOST funds.
But if we can get grants and/or TDT funding or private funding--or even a Triumph Gulf Coast Grant, I am ALL IN!
7 comments:
Commissioner Bergosh, I don't at all agree with the fatalistic opinion that we could never have a chamber in our area. The hospitals have the capacity for it, but it's understandable they don't want to have to staff it 24-7. Another challenge was brought up at the MAC's last diving symposium, which is the possibility that the contracts the hospitals currently have with the particular companies/services are using the chambers could also be a limitation (I'm just repeating what was said by an attendee
knowledgeable about that).
The local diving industry--the diving industry as a whole, actually--is wary of conversations that highlight the need for oxygen chambers, because they understandably worry that such ideas might hit their bottom lines, and hold up progress on sinking reef. So when you're talking to people about this, you are going to run into a pretty ingrained habit of downplaying the need for a chamber, and "it's not even worth talking about because it will never happen." Hogwash. It certainly cannot happen if nobody tries, however.
When I was on the MAC there was a pretty profound shift in the collective willingness of people to embrace talking about the issue. Pensacola is by far not the only location to have this challenge; it's more rare to have one within safe distance these days. I had always hoped that perhaps the TDC and BCC could spearhead talks with hospital administration and get other Florida Gulf Coast counties involved. Why couldn't there be a consortium? Destin is sinking stuff left and right; they should be invested in having a chamber in the area, as well.
Please keep talking to people about this. This isn't to say "we can't have a second ship if we don't do a chamber." We should already be looking at a chamber apart from that question, anyway. It's the elephant in the room that people are finally talking about, but sadly there is still the misperception among many that the Base will take people into their chambers in an emergency (they no longer do this). The last diving symposium Robert Turpin put on with the help of key MAC members was excellent, and the doctor who used to run and staff that Base facility was a guest. CMR video'd that night...would you consider linking that video to your blog post so that those who are interested could have it for easy access? I don't know if it got put on the County website, or on Facebook, but CMR would know.
I'm not a subject matter expert but I don't think flying is indicater after some one foolishly stays down too long or goes too deep nor comes up to fast. Emergency first aid can be rendered and a person can even be brought back down them brought back up slowly.
It's not like you rush them unconscious to a chamber.
Chamber can also be used for other conditions and speed healing.
Interesting medical procedure and the effects on various pressures on the human body.
If someone ascends too quickly it can kill them. Usually the problem is people ignore the training and protocols.
Dive trips excursions can have the participants sign a waiver.
There is actually a certified person who accompanies a group and minds the depth and time with the group.
Anecdotally I knew a guy with the IQ of about 80 it seemed who liked to stay down til he ran out of air spear fishing. They were surrounded by hammerhead sharks because of blood and then he had to take a few trips to the chamber. He could not comprehend the charts.
Again a trained professional can monitor a group.
Free Lance peeps are usually the one that get in trouble.
Fast assents can rupture lungs if one holds their breath.
So if someone makes a beeline for the surface with out breathing often, a chamber won't help that. Visualize a blown up Ballon going at 100 feet. If it's full at 100 feet, if you take it to the surface it will expand and burst.
You can't fix stupid.
I wonder if the Navy would collaborate with you.
I think the bigger problem is that Pensacola doesn't have a hyperbaric chamber. They're used for so much more than decompression sickness. I'm sure the ROI would be just fine for any hospital that agreed to purchase one, as their schedules are full at many hospitals. They help with diabetic and surgical wound healing, radiation burns from cancer, necrosis, infection, carbon monoxide poisoning, and more. Kind of alarming that we have three hospitals so close together and none have an HBC. They're standard-of-care protocol for many cancer patients.
A quick Google search now leads me to the question- there are hyperbaric chambers in Pensacola at Baptist, Sacred Heart, and several wound care centers. They aren't considered "publicy accessible"? I wonder why not. (Sorry, my initial scan of the post led me to believe there were no HBCs, which seemed archaic for a town this size, hence the previous comment.) If it's a matter of Insurance covering or not covering it, a person runs that risk everywhere he/she goes, especially if a person has insurance based on location. I know my insurance won't cover care if I get sick in Mexico so I buy a supplemental policy for that when I travel. I don't think this is a Pensacola problem. Divers know the risk and possible expense involved. The concern is that the fear of an incident where they'd have to pay out of pocket for treatment would keep them from coming here? Hoping this isn't a real hiccup.
Wouldn't it be nice if engaged citizen would take the time to watch the budget process and understand how things are funded?
I watched them one year, yes it was like watching paint dry over 3 days, however I learned enough to barely scratch the surface that money for different things comes from different places, ie-- pots of money.
By law, statute, for example, the TDC funds can only be used for certain things and not others.
For instance, the LOST (Sales tax) funds infrastutute so the 10mil would come from a source that can't be used otherwise, and our county may not even get the money unless we come up with a project like this that could have regional economic impact.
It would take away nothing from our current needs and if the Triumph Inc board will release some funds to our county for this project, it would be funds we would have otherwise.
So many of the arguments arguments againsgt this you see ARE ignorant but if you try to tell them, they pass around screenshots and say you're mean.
This observation is yet another example of why we have a representative government and a Constitutional Republic and smart people in other offices on the boards recognize and endorse you. It's a pity so many voters are so ignorant.
So basically all you need is 3 votes on the board.
We aren't an Athenia democracy where the loudest voice in the room or on facebook or shouting in the streets makes the (uninformed) decisions. THANK GOODNESS.
The arguments against this are disingenuous. The gossips do affect voting for Commissioner unfortunately.
Basically I meant paying to do this will * not * take away from county funds,if it comes from TDT and or Triumph Gulf Coast Inc.
The money comes from an outside source that would not be available to us otherwise.
It's frustrating to see so many brainwashed incorrect uninformed comments on social media.
Logical Fallicies run rampant.
And many can't see the long term benefit.
They think ... oh your paying 10 million to gift to some divers and I have a pothole in my road =
Low info voters unfortunately are the majority.
Errrrr..
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