I would like to give and get information on medical emergency plans for the islands by publishing here current info.
Things change and updates are necessary. The Belize Tourist Board and PADI organization as well as the San Pedro Tour Guide association require EAP's be handy for all operators.
Our current Plan is out dated and I'm gona bet a lot of you as well have old numbers and obsolete organizations on your plans.
I copied this from the web.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
Wings of Hope- Medical emergency air ambulance- 223-3292 or fax: 223-0549
Lions Health Clinic - 226-4052; emergencies 600-9071 or Hours: Mon.- Fri., 8am to 8pm; Sat., 8am - noon.
Los Pinos Clinic 602-6383 and 226- 2686.
Dr. Lerida Rodriguez: 226-2197 or cell 620-1974
San Pedro Chiropractic Clinic 226- 4695
Hyperbaric Chamber - 226-2851
Dr. Otto Rodriguez - 600-0287 or 226-2854.


Diver's Alert Network 919-684-8111800-446-2671

right away i think There are some problems.
any suggestions?

Maybe start by making contact with NEMO - Mrs. Jeromey Timrose Augustin - 226-4291 / 666-7476


NEMO hotline - 636

Hummm NEMO is a National Emergency group. This plan, required by BTB and others, is more of a plan of action if an individual got hurt on a tour.
Is Wings of Hope still in business?
also someone told me the Lions Health clinic shut down, is that true?

We had an incident a few months ago (on Good Friday of all days). Found out then that the helicopter will ONLY come out if it is a life or death situation. The airplane will come and pick up a person for a fee, and transport them to a hospital in Belize City. The incident we had was life threatening, and if the gentleman had stayed on the island over the holiday weekend he would not have survived. He had cracked some ribs earlier in the week, but on the night before Good Friday fell into something and actually pierced his lung. His lung filling up with blood/fluid was not sufficiently "life or death" to get the helicopter here, but we did get him out by plane.

Another obstacle we encountered was finding a taxi with removable seats that could hold him on a board. After this experience, we now have some information about getting emergency care on the island.

BTW the man recovered enough to return to San Pedro the Tuesday after Easter.

Yep this is the kinda info I'm talking about. Plans are being required by BTB membership renewal.
A written Plan must be submitted this year.
Little discovery's like the need for Taxis with removable seats are elements of a good plan.
this is what I've got so far.
White Sands Dive Shop
Emergency Action Plan
While Belize is a very safe and fun place to dive, we are prepared in case of an emergency situation.
Safety Operations
A qualified Divemaster/License Belizean Tour Guide will always be present when White Sands Dive Shop conducts any Diving or snorkeling excursion. These individuals are trained in oxygen administration, first aid and CPR procedures as well as rescue breathing and airway obstruction. A first aid station is also housed inside the building used for dive shop operations and all boats.
Emergency Evacuation
In all emergencies, the San Pedro Hyperbaric Chamber must be contacted immediately, by calling 226-2851 ( this number is posted on the wall above the schedule board. When the phone is answered:
Give your name and specific location and all other pertinent information that is requested. Bring someone with you when making an emergency call so that one of you can stay by the phone at least 3-minutes for any return call, if necessary. A list of emergency services telephone numbers appear at the end of this section. In the case of a life-threatening emergency, request that Med Flight be dispatched immediately.
Med-Flight Emergencies
Contact the Chamber to request Med Flight for certain medical emergencies which require immediate evacuation from Ambergris caye. It is noted that Med Flight is not the primary responder. However, due to the remoteness of our location, Astrum has agreed to respond to certain emergencies when called upon by the San Pedro Hyperbaric Chamber.
[email protected]
Office (Belize): +501 222-5100
Mobile (Belize): +501 610-4381
Toll Free (US): +1 (888) ASTRUM4
Toll Free (US): +1 (888) 278-7864
(1) Near drowning when the victim has lost consciousness. San Pedro Chamber must be called whenever a victim has been removed from the water in an unconscious condition.
(2) Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism (A.G.E.). Although rare, this is a very serious diving injury. Whenever the victim is suspected of experiencing an air embolism, as it is commonly called transport to San Pedro Hyperbaric Chamber. Signs and symptoms to watch for all convulsions, unconsciousness, bloody froth at the mouth, partial or full paralysis, etc.

Trauma
Any trauma, such as uncontrolled bleeding, head injury, etc. caused by a fall or instrument, requires immediate evacuation. Call San Pedro Poly Clinic 226-2536
Hospitals
Most emergency evacuations will be taken to Belize City Hospital (KHH) 223-1548
Hyperbaric Chamber
The closest hyperbaric chamber is located the San Pedro Air Strip 226-2851
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
Wings of Hope- Medical emergency air ambulance- 223-3292 or fax: 223-0549
Lions Health Clinic - 226-4052; emergencies 600-9071 or Hours: Mon.- Fri., 8am to 8pm; Sat., 8am - noon.
Los Pinos Clinic 602-6383 and 226- 2686.
Dr. Lerida Rodriguez: 226-2197 or cell 620-1974
San Pedro Chiropractic Clinic 226- 4695
Hyperbaric Chamber - 226-2851
Dr. Otto Rodriguez - 600-0287 or 226-2854.
Diver's Alert Network 919-684-8111800-446-2671

OK I've added this:
Emergency Evacuation North of the San Pedro River
Emergency evacuations north of the San Pedro River are cautioned about attempting long road evacuations by golf cart. The Costal Express offers Emergency Evacuation Services by boat.
Phone 226 2007 they stand by Marine radio frequency 80.
They stop at any dock for transport to the Amigos dock in town and will call ahead to have a doctor meet at the Amigos dock.
Transportation from the Amigos dock in San Pedro Town to airport or chamber is by land taxi service also arranged by Costal Express. Costal Express employees are trained, experienced and rehearsed for Emergency Evacuations from Ambergris Caye’s remote North areas.

(Please feel free to copy this and delete our name and insert yours if you need a printed plan.)
White Sands Dive Shop
Emergency Action Plan
While Belize is a very safe and fun place to dive, we are prepared in case of an emergency situation.
Safety Operations
A qualified Divemaster/License Belizean Tour Guide will always be present when White Sands Dive Shop conducts any Diving or snorkeling excursion. These individuals are trained in oxygen administration, first aid and CPR procedures as well as rescue breathing and airway obstruction. A first aid station is also housed inside the building used for dive shop operations and all boats.
Emergency Evacuation
In all emergencies, the San Pedro Hyperbaric Chamber must be contacted immediately, by calling 226-2851 ( this number is posted on the wall above the schedule board. When the phone is answered:
Give your name and specific location and all other pertinent information that is requested. Bring someone with you when making an emergency call so that one of you can stay by the phone at least 3-minutes for any return call, if necessary. A list of emergency services telephone numbers appear at the end of this section. In the case of a life-threatening emergency, request that Med Flight be dispatched immediately.
Emergency Evacuation North of the San Pedro River
Emergency evacuations north of the San Pedro River are cautioned about attempting long road evacuations by golf cart. The Costal Express offers Emergency Evacuation Services by boat.
Phone 226 2007 they stand by Marine radio frequency 80.
They stop at any dock for transport to the Amigos dock in town and will call ahead to have a doctor meet at the Amigos dock.
Transportation from the Amigos dock in San Pedro Town to airport or chamber is by land taxi service also arranged by Costal Express. Costal Express employees are trained, experienced and rehearsed for Emergency Evacuations from Ambergris Caye’s remote North areas.

Med-Flight Emergencies
Contact the Chamber to request Med Flight for certain medical emergencies which require immediate evacuation from Ambergris caye. It is noted that Med Flight is not the primary responder. However, due to the remoteness of our location, Astrum has agreed to respond to certain emergencies when called upon by the San Pedro Hyperbaric Chamber.
[email protected]
Office (Belize): +501 222-5100
Mobile (Belize): +501 610-4381
Toll Free (US): +1 (888) ASTRUM4
Toll Free (US): +1 (888) 278-7864
(1) Near drowning when the victim has lost consciousness. San Pedro Chamber must be called whenever a victim has been removed from the water in an unconscious condition.
(2) Cerebral Arterial Gas Embolism (A.G.E.). Although rare, this is a very serious diving injury. Whenever the victim is suspected of experiencing an air embolism, as it is commonly called transport to San Pedro Hyperbaric Chamber. Signs and symptoms to watch for all convulsions, unconsciousness, bloody froth at the mouth, partial or full paralysis, etc.

Trauma
Any trauma, such as uncontrolled bleeding, head injury, etc. caused by a fall or instrument, requires immediate evacuation. Call San Pedro Poly Clinic 226-2536
Hospitals
Most emergency evacuations will be taken to Belize City Hospital (KHH) 223-1548
Hyperbaric Chamber
The closest hyperbaric chamber is located the San Pedro Air Strip 226-2851
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
Wings of Hope- Medical emergency air ambulance- 223-3292 or fax: 223-0549
Los Pinos Clinic 602-6383 and 226- 2686.
Dr. Lerida Rodriguez: 226-2197 or cell 620-1974
San Pedro Chiropractic Clinic 226- 4695
Hyperbaric Chamber - 226-2851
Dr. Otto Rodriguez - 600-0287 or 226-2854.
Poly Clinic-226-2555 and 226-2536

Diver's Alert Network 919-684-8111800-446-2671

The Lion's Clinic is no longer functioning----hasn't really since the Poly Clinic was opened.

where can you get an AED in case of need? Does anyone know where they are located around the island?

We discussed all of this a while back and wanted to form an "EMS" team to come up with some ideas for any type of medical/trauma emergency. We need to reopen that dialog and bring the BTB on board. As most of you know, San Pedro is not the best place in the world to have a medical issue.
AED's need to be checked out monthly. The few I have seen on the island had dead batteries.
Paging Dr. Blackledge.

I think that I had done some calculations and in order to have a full time team on duty with transportation and equipment it would cost about $150K BZD per year and about $100K BZD in initial equipment, transportation and training which was taking into account free training in the US. Of course that would give you 3 trained men who would work in the same way most fire crews work. I think that unless you pay them and train them properly they will not stay on the job.