SIT Study Abroad/Belize
School for International
Training
on
9am: The group of 12 SIT Study Abroad/Belize students and I departed the Tropical Education Center, as scheduled, to Che Chem Ha Resort where the group would be camping for three nights as they participate in fieldwork as part of their terrestrial ecology seminar.
11am: Picked up Dr. Ed Boles, the teacher of our program’s terrestrial ecology seminar, (with our program for the past six years) at the University of Belize- Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources campus at Central Farm. Also picked up two local Belizean university students who were invited to participate in this seminar. Dr. Ed Boles had met and become familiar with the group a few days earlier during his one-day seminar to introduce concepts that would be pursued during the fieldwork part of the seminar.
12:15pm: Group lunch at Hode’s Place, San Ignacio. Dr. Boles, sat with part of the group including Dan, to further familiarize himself with each student. Kimo Jolly, another program lecturer, (cultural ecology) who was invited to lunch with the group, was introduced.
2:30pm: Group arrived at Che Chem Ha Resort, introduced to the place, set up camp, settled in.
3:30pm: Dr. Ed Boles began his watershed lectures with the group. Explained plans for the course.
4pm: After hearing course fieldwork plans, Academic Director departs the group to travel to Belmopan, one and a half (1-1/2) hoursaway. Leaves group with Dr. Ed Boles and staff at Che Chem Ha to catch up on long overdue emails and reports, and to confirm activities for the following week. The AD promised the group and lecturer to return by early afternoon the next day.
The Program Assistant (PA), Luz Hunter, who normally would have been with the group, as has been through all past semesters, had been out since the past week on emergency leave to take care of an ill 90 year old grandmother in Mexico. By this time AD had been alone with the group for over a week, for 12 to 15 hours each day also assuming Program Assistant, logistical and other roles. It was unclear when or whether or not, the Program Assistant would return. Being always with the group, it had been difficult to train a PA substitute. AD needed to sort these things.
AM: AD met with owner of Palacio’s Mountain Retreat (where other part of terrestrial ecology seminar would be held), to reconfirm dates and activity plans. AD also made calls to other areas re-confirming lectures and other parts of the program, answered emails (in one email, AD promised Julie Payne he would not leave the computer today until all overdue reports to SIT are completed). Overdue payments to have been made to the TEC was rescheduled. The group would conduct field activities at Vaca Falls (about 30 minutes walk down hill through the forest from Che Chem Ha) with Ed Boles and William, a guide from Che Chem Ha.
12:45pm: While at the computer, AD received call from Nicole Anderson, one of the students, reporting that Daniel Brown had drowned. “No breathing and no pulse,” she reported. AD promised to leave for the scene immediately. Asked Nicole to remain near the phone, (the only phone in the area) for further communications. AD immediately left computer work and prepares to rush to the scene. AD receives number for BATSUB (British Army Training and Support Unit, Belize).
12:55pm: While traveling, just out of Belmopan, AD received another call reporting that Dan had regained his breathing. From his cell phone while driving, AD placed a call to Julie Payne at SIT to report the incident. Also gave Julie direct number for Che Chem Ha Resort where Nicole would answer further questions, in case the AD’s cell phone gets cut off from reception range on the highway. AD also called Dr. Arriaga, the program doctor to report the incident.
1:05 pm: AD placed a call to BATSUB to request helicopter evacuation assistance. BATSUB reported that assistance was already requested but they had no coordinates for identifying and landing in the area. AD gave a general description of the location of the area.
1:30pm: AD still on the highway traveling towards Che Chem Ha called Nicole to report that helicopter is already on its way. AD heard helicopter overhead as he informs Nicole. Asked Nicole for update. Emily Horne, another student, had just ran 25 minutes from the site to update that Dan is breathing but unconscious. The group is awaiting helicopter.
1:35pm: Upon hearing the helicopter overhead, AD called Nicole to tell he is turning around from the westward direction he was traveling to travel east, 65 miles to Belize City to meet the helicopter there. Plans were made with Dr. Arriaga to have Dan airlifted to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City. Dr. Arriaga would prepare his team of doctors and would make arrangements to ensure that the helicopter landing pad at the hospital was cleared.
1:50pm: Daniel Brown’s mom called while AD was driving on the Western Highway. Conversation got cut off within a few seconds when AD entered “Not in Service” cell phone range.
2:40pm: AD arrived in Belize City. Met Dr. Arriaga at his clinic. Immediately went to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital to await the helicopter. AD called Nicole for updates. Asked that group remain together with Ed. Boles until other arrangements are made. AD called other instructor Kimo Jolly, to report incident and to request that he also joins the rest of the group. Kimo, not home… arranging upcoming river excursion for the group. AD left message.
3:30pm: Informed that helicopter crew made decision to take patient to Universal Medical Arts Center in Belize City.
4pm: Dr. Arriaga and AD at Universal Medical Arts Center met internist colleague, Dr. Jorge Hidalgo. The medical team performed their tasks while AD made payment deposits using program credit card etc., since no foreign insurance was accepted at the hospital. Frank Carter, the student who had revived Dan using CPR, had also traveled with Dan and the British forces rescue team to the hospital in the British forces helicopter. Frank, crying, relates details of the incident with AD and also by phone with Julie Payne, as AD had requested.
4:30pm: An officer of the US Embassy personnel called to request updates and personal home numbers were given to AD with request to call anytime if there is any need for further assistance including med-evac. Assured embassy personnel that Dan’s insurance also included med-evac but if any problems they would be contacted.
5:30pm: Kimo Jolly called to acknowledge receipt of AD phone message and promises to drive from San Ignacio where he lives to join group at Che Chem Ha. AD requested that he also make arrangements for him and Ed Boles to have students leave Che Chem Ha and go to a hotel in San Ignacio. Kimo promised to arrange this for the program and to act as program assistant in the meantime.
6pm: Miriam Khalil, former AD during my sabbatical (Sp. 2002) also called AD to offer any assistance. She promised to spend some time with the group tomorrow to be available for any assistance.
7pm: AD called Dr. Ed Boles at Che Chem Ha resort to find out how he and the rest of the group were doing. AD assured Dr. Boles that it was OK for him to leave the group the following day, Saturday, and that Kimo Jolly would take care of the group. Dr. Boles needed to prepare to leave the following day, Sunday, for an international forestry and terrestrial ecology conference in Miami.
AD remains at the hospital, kept updating Julie Payne and SIT Director of Area Studies, Skye Stephenson. Dan’s family could not be reached. AD remains at hospital for updates from the doctors.
9pm: After a quick light meal, AD checked student Frank Carter into a hotel, The Chateau Caribbean, in Belize City. Returned to hospital. Kept in touch with doctors. Gave phone updates to Julie Payne, who is also making arrangements for Med-Evac to the US. Learned from Dr. Hidalgo that Med-evac flight to arrive at 12:30am to take Dan to a hospital in Miami. AD questioned whether airport, always closed at nights, was equipped to accommodate this. Dr. Hidalgo reported that special arrangements could be made.
11:30 pm: Dr. Hidalgo reports that Med-evac flight for 12:30am cancelled since hospital bed could not be located at the intensive care unit of the hospitals in Miami. Another hospital would have to be located. Med-Evac flight would be later in the morning. AD kept checking for updates with Dr. Hidalgo.
2:30am: AD left the hospital for the Chateau Caribbean Hotel to share room with Frank. Brief updates with Frank before bedtime.
5:30am: AD awakes from three-hour sleep and returns to the hospital. Met Dr. Hidalgo for update. Med-evac flight to arrive around 10:30am.
7:30am: AD called Kimo Jolly at Che Chem Ha and asked that Dan’s camping gear and all belongings be brought immediately to the hospital to send with the flight. Kimo promised to leave as soon as possible. (Che Chem Ha to Belize City is about hours driving)
9am: Confirmed arrangements for ambulance to transport air med-evac team from international airport (9miles from Belize City) to Universal Hospital and back.
10am: Kimo and his wife, Lucy, arrived with Dan’s gear. Met AD at the Universal Hospital. The group moved from Che Chem Ha to San Ignacio Town. Frank joined AD and Kimo at the hospital.
11am: Med Evac Team arrives at the hospital. Held medical reporting meeting with doctors as they prepare patient for flight travel.
12 noon: AD clears all bills with the hospital using program credit card. Gave Dan’s passport to Med-evac team.
12:30pm: Med-evac team leaves with the patient to the airport in BERT (Belize Emergency Response Team) ambulance. AD rides ambulance with the team to the airport. Dr. Arriaga and Frank Carter, Kimo Jolly and wife Lucy, followed in two other vehicles.
1:15pm: After airport clearance, the med-evac flight leaves.
1:20pm: Kimo Jolly and Frank Carter returned to San Ignacio to meet rest of the group. AD travels with Dr. Arriaga back to Belize City. Discussed incident with Dr. Arriaga. Dr. Arriaga confided patient’s positive test for marijuana. AD in disbelief. Dr. Arriaga counseled AD not to react unreasonably with the group about the report, and not to get discouraged with the program because of incidents as these. AD returns to Universal Hospital to meet Dr. Hidalgo. AD received written reports of medical tests. Dr. Hidalgo confirms report of test results.
2:20pm: AD contacted Kimo (driving back to San Ignacio) to request that he makes arrangements for my meeting the students. Kimo suggested that his Mom, a retired nurse from Jackson Memorial Hospital, who has a great deal of counseling experience at the trauma center, also join the group meeting. AD agreed and requested meeting as soon as I arrive.
3pm: With only three hours sleep the night before, and five hours the previous night, AD drank two cups of coffee after meeting with Dr. Hidalgo and then drove back from Belize City to San Ignacio.
5:30pm: AD arrives in San Ignacio, met with Ms. Minerva Aponte-Jolly, counselor and Kimo’s mom to discuss our meeting with the group. Ms Minerva also wanted to know how AD was doing before the group meeting.
6pm: AD met with group at the Venus Hotel and then transported group to Ms. Minerva’s home a few blocks away. Debriefing and counseling meeting. Ms. Minerva facilitated the meeting, with Kimo Jolly and AD present. Each group member and AD shared his/her experience. AD also mentioned his concerns about the report of positive test for marijuana. Members of the group felt the test could show a “false-positive” result and denied any knowledge of any use of marijuana. Some group members explained that it is their view that Dan would not be one to use any drug. The group promised to write an emergency report, and list of recommendations for the program. AD also mentioned that the program schedule could change to keep away from remote areas to ensure easier access to medical facilities, since from phone call to emergency evacuation from all our sites could take up to three hours as had been seen. The group objected to changes and mentioned that planning a program only near urban or populated areas with closer access to emergency facilities could compromise the quality of the program they had thus far enjoyed. The group was warned that there are no satellite phones, no radio communications nor phone communications in few areas that the program has traveled to for seminars. The group promised to take extra care to ensure the safety of each group member. By the following day, considerations and conclusions would be made between AD and the field teaching staff about the rest of the program schedule.
8:45pm: Debriefing and counseling meeting with group concluded. Group dinner at Martha’s guesthouse.
9:20pm: AD called Dan’s parents at the hospital. Expressed apologies for what had occurred. Wonderful, supportive phone conversation from parents to AD. Frank Carter also spoke with Dan’s parents.
10pm: AD, very tired, went to bed at the Venus Hotel in San Ignacio where the group stayed.
6am: AD awakes ahead of group, travels from San Ignacio to Belmopan (35 minutes) to get change of clothes and meet his family.
9am: AD returns to San Ignacio to meet group. Breakfast with group.
12noon: Aynn Setright, AD from Nicaragua arrives in San Ignacio with Kimo Jolly who met her at the airport. Aynn met the group for introductions and settled in.
2pm: Group meeting with Aynn, who brought a very reassuring presence and perspective to the group. Aynn’s sharing of the nature of her program country also grounded students to realities of living outside of the US. During the meeting Dan’s parents called the AD from the hospital to report that than is doing much better… the respirator was off, he had regained some consciousness, is sitting and is eating. The group was overjoyed and debriefing meeting took a tearful-celebratory air. Aynn remained with the group at the hotel.
7pm: Another debriefing held with Kimo, Aynn and the group to discuss reports and recommendations.
AM: Program Schedule continues as planned with group and Kimo visiting the Mollejon Hydroelectric Dam with Aynn joining the group for this excursion.
PM: AD joined the group, Kimo and Aynn for lunch at the Magana’a Art Gallery and then visited the Trek Stop Butterfly Farm.
The program continued as planned with three day river trip the following day and the other field activities as scheduled. The group continues to get updates from Dan’s parents and continue to maintain an enthusiastic, positive, spirit with a stronger group bond.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeremy A. Enriquez
Academic Director
S.I.T. Study Abroad Belize
P. O. Box 283
Belmopan
Belize