The diver survived but the delayed treatment could have been fatal...Steve Boyes - Dive SupervisorJuly 17, 2003 at 07:25:33We visited the Cocos islands in the Oceanos Aggressor and saw first hand the
safety policy operated by the company. During a land trip to the island (which was a poorly organised affair to see a "pirate cave" that wasn't worth the effort) one of the guests fell down a ravine on our first day at the island and broke 2 ribs and his pelvis in 3 places. It took many hours to carry him back to the beach. We had been told that we were 600 miles from any medical help and expected the boat to return immediately. However what
happened was a 12-hour debate between the captain and the Aggressor company presumably about the compensation that would be required for a boat full of divers. Eventually the captain persuaded the local coast guard vessel to take the injured person along with a crew member who could act as a translator. He survived but the delay in treatment could have been fatal. The rest of us continued the holiday but without any first aid equipment as it had been just about used up
treating our friend. What a nightmare. If you go on holiday with ANYBODY you should check out exactly what they will do when things go wrong and what risks you will face during other non diving activities. Don't assume they will keep you safe. | 
