39 thoughts on “A Connection Between Hawaii Snorkeling Drowning and Air Travel?”
William r
I’m wondering 🤔 if the use of a pulse oxymeter to measure one’s oxygen saturation can be a fast convenient diagnostic tool to prevent a death…especially shortly,days or hours after air travel,before snorkeling or other water activities. As well as perhaps after visiting high elevation attractions like volcano rims,hikes or one of the observatories which can have extremely high elevations and thinner air,producing lower oxygen saturation levels in an otherwise unsuspecting tourist.
A website is pointless. No one takes the time to research or read. We need airline briefings on the most important things you need to know about Hawaii. Do it the 30 mins before landing. Tell them about the wildlife and how to be a good traveler. Everyone thinks they are strong enough and safe enough until they are not. We need free life vests, good snorkles and free floating devices. Solutions not talk. Also very helpful article thank you!
Might be a good idea but I hardly think it would work….you suggest the airlines give the briefing to all passengers but in reality what % are going to snorkel so those people aren’t going to pay attention…people don’t listen to the safety briefings in the begin so they surely aren’t going to listen to a briefing that has nothing to do with them. Also I doubt you could get the airlines to “buy off” on giving the briefings, after all what’s in it for them?!? It’s like the old saying….”You can lead a horse to water but …….etc etc”
I find Maluaka Beach in Makena dangerous. I almost drowned a few years back. 2 younger girls saved me. I’ve been going to beaches here for 40 years and I never had that experience where I couldn’t get out ( I’m 63 ). My daughter mocks me for my apprehension of south Maui beaches. I’m sticking to my pool🌺
I always tell my visitors, especially mothers of young children, Seniors,to go to a lifeguarded beach and go to the lifeguard station to ask where the safest place to swim is. This does two things: you find out the best place to swim and it alerts the lifeguard he has novices on his or her beach. Beaches can change seasonally and the lifeguard knows best for that day where you should enjoy your day of swimming, snorkeling etc.
From reading the comments, I think point #2 is being missed: “The safest snorkel doesn’t have tip modifications to keep water from entering.” The extensive study mentioned in another comment points out that purge valves may be a serious problem. It’s time to go back to the old-fashioned strong blast to clear your snorkel.
I broke my neck boogie boarding off Hamoa Beach because I was not aware of how different the waves are in Hawaii compared to Florida (where I boogie boarded frequently). Thankfully, the hospital and emergency staff took very good care of me. I walk today thanks to a titanium rod in my neck. Respect the ocean and be appreciative of the locals!! One of them saved my life!!
Aloha, BOH! My husband and I are avid and experienced snorkelers. Our strongest safety suggestion is to snorkel with a buddy. We snorkel together and look around to check on each other frequently. Snorkeling is one of the main reasons that we come to Hawaii and we have snorkeled off of five of the islands. Even so, we carefully choose when and where to go in, and strongly urge everyone to snorkel with a friend. Mahalo for addressing this important topic today! — Susan
Aloha Susan, I hope you don’t mind me asking, do you take any kind of floatation device? If so, would you mind recommending one? We’ve snorkeled on Maui, but all these drownings tend to frighten me.
I would like the study to include the type of snorkel mask involved if the drowning is associated with snorkeling. Specifically, firtst responders should note whether the mask was a traditional style, “goggle” or “full face” mask. Concerns are that CO2 may build up in the full face models more so than in the snorkeling tube attached to goggles.
We were counseled 40 years ago on a vacation in Jamaica, as to Scuba Diving and I believe it was 48 Hours after landing and after last dive before flying again. One concern should also be the gentleman’s age, all things considered.
I’m wondering 🤔 if the use of a pulse oxymeter to measure one’s oxygen saturation can be a fast convenient diagnostic tool to prevent a death…especially shortly,days or hours after air travel,before snorkeling or other water activities. As well as perhaps after visiting high elevation attractions like volcano rims,hikes or one of the observatories which can have extremely high elevations and thinner air,producing lower oxygen saturation levels in an otherwise unsuspecting tourist.
A website is pointless. No one takes the time to research or read. We need airline briefings on the most important things you need to know about Hawaii. Do it the 30 mins before landing. Tell them about the wildlife and how to be a good traveler. Everyone thinks they are strong enough and safe enough until they are not. We need free life vests, good snorkles and free floating devices. Solutions not talk. Also very helpful article thank you!
Might be a good idea but I hardly think it would work….you suggest the airlines give the briefing to all passengers but in reality what % are going to snorkel so those people aren’t going to pay attention…people don’t listen to the safety briefings in the begin so they surely aren’t going to listen to a briefing that has nothing to do with them. Also I doubt you could get the airlines to “buy off” on giving the briefings, after all what’s in it for them?!? It’s like the old saying….”You can lead a horse to water but …….etc etc”
I find Maluaka Beach in Makena dangerous. I almost drowned a few years back. 2 younger girls saved me. I’ve been going to beaches here for 40 years and I never had that experience where I couldn’t get out ( I’m 63 ). My daughter mocks me for my apprehension of south Maui beaches. I’m sticking to my pool🌺
Full face masks are dangerous. Some of these deaths were due to these masks.
Mahalo for your great work.
I always tell my visitors, especially mothers of young children, Seniors,to go to a lifeguarded beach and go to the lifeguard station to ask where the safest place to swim is. This does two things: you find out the best place to swim and it alerts the lifeguard he has novices on his or her beach. Beaches can change seasonally and the lifeguard knows best for that day where you should enjoy your day of swimming, snorkeling etc.
From reading the comments, I think point #2 is being missed: “The safest snorkel doesn’t have tip modifications to keep water from entering.” The extensive study mentioned in another comment points out that purge valves may be a serious problem. It’s time to go back to the old-fashioned strong blast to clear your snorkel.
I broke my neck boogie boarding off Hamoa Beach because I was not aware of how different the waves are in Hawaii compared to Florida (where I boogie boarded frequently). Thankfully, the hospital and emergency staff took very good care of me. I walk today thanks to a titanium rod in my neck. Respect the ocean and be appreciative of the locals!! One of them saved my life!!
Aloha, BOH! My husband and I are avid and experienced snorkelers. Our strongest safety suggestion is to snorkel with a buddy. We snorkel together and look around to check on each other frequently. Snorkeling is one of the main reasons that we come to Hawaii and we have snorkeled off of five of the islands. Even so, we carefully choose when and where to go in, and strongly urge everyone to snorkel with a friend. Mahalo for addressing this important topic today! — Susan
Aloha Susan, I hope you don’t mind me asking, do you take any kind of floatation device? If so, would you mind recommending one? We’ve snorkeled on Maui, but all these drownings tend to frighten me.
Mahalo!
Lanell
I would like the study to include the type of snorkel mask involved if the drowning is associated with snorkeling. Specifically, firtst responders should note whether the mask was a traditional style, “goggle” or “full face” mask. Concerns are that CO2 may build up in the full face models more so than in the snorkeling tube attached to goggles.
>>Do not snorkel within the first few days of a transpacific flight.
What’s the rational (medical or otherwise) behind this recommendation?
I had heard something similar with respect to scuba diving, but not snorkeling.
We were counseled 40 years ago on a vacation in Jamaica, as to Scuba Diving and I believe it was 48 Hours after landing and after last dive before flying again. One concern should also be the gentleman’s age, all things considered.