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Death on beach at Waiohai

californiagirl

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Monday morning I had just come in from snorkeling in front of Waiohai. There was a wicked current so I had to exert more energy than normal to swim, even with fins on. My husband and I were sitting on the beach as I was drying off when a man in the water started shouting. At first no one could understand what he was saying. The entire beach went silent and we could then understand he was shouting “lifeguard”! It looked like he and another person were supporting a third person. The lifeguard immediately swam out to them. It seemed like it took forever to get to shore. I’m sure in actuality it was only a few minutes. Since I am an RN, I ran to the shore to meet them as they dragged a man out of the water. He was in full arrest. There were about 5 of us who ran to help. Nurses, a paramedic and an ER doctor. I stepped back as we were not all needed. As I am almost 60 I let the younger/stronger healthcare providers do the compressions, they would be more effective. For anyone who has not done CPR, it is very tiring and when you tire your compressions are not as effective. That is why rescuers switch off every few minutes. I sat with his wife/significant other...she used both terms as we sat there. It doesn’t matter because it was clear she loved him. She kept saying “but he doesn’t have any health problems. He exercises and is healthy”. Someone got an AED and they applied the pads. Unfortunately he did not have a shockable rhythm so they continued compressions. Several sets of paramedics and emergency personnel arrived and began working on him. They worked so hard for about 45 minutes when at that time they transported him to the hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

He was 64 years old and from Minnesota. This was their last day before going back home. Besides his wife he was there with 2 brothers and a sister-in-law. One brother had been snorkeling with him and had gone back to shore. The man who died wanted just a little longer in the water, his brother said.

As I have been reflecting and replaying the experience in my mind a couple of things have stood out. My faith in humanity is strengthened. SO many people offered help and support to the man and to the family. We were all strangers. All activity and sound on the beach stopped as everyone watched. I didn’t get the feeling people were gawking in a voyeuristic way, but rather as a collective group hoping, wishing and praying that he would respond to the resuscitation efforts. The response from Waiohai was impressive and reassuring. it was very sobering. As I looked around the group on the beach and at the resort, the majority of us were within a few years of the man receiving help. I’m sure we all at some point had the thought, there but for the grace of God go I.
 

jmhpsu93

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Wow, Lisa. That is so sad. :(
 

GregT

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Wow that is sobering, I'm so sorry to hear this. I will be at Waiohai next month and will be particularly cautious now -- thank you for the story and for sharing it. Tough stuff...

Best,

Greg
 

1Kflyerguy

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Such sad news,

We are heading there in May, and will need be extra careful.
 

NboroGirl

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While at the "happiest place on earth" yesterday, my son's girlfriend learned her best friend's father collapsed and died, and my friend's husband died. Live for today because tomorrow is not guaranteed.
 

DaveNV

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Such sad news. At least he died doing something he really enjoyed.

Dave
 

Steve Fatula

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Terrible news and likely bad to witness too. Sorry to hear it.

As a kid I got to see a woman get run over by a car, and rolling underneath a car. That was not pleasant and I still see it in my mind to this day.
 
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Gemini Chica

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Life is precious and can be over in a second, sobering and hard to get your head round. I hope your ok.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

CPNY

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Monday morning I had just come in from snorkeling in front of Waiohai. There was a wicked current so I had to exert more energy than normal to swim, even with fins on. My husband and I were sitting on the beach as I was drying off when a man in the water started shouting. At first no one could understand what he was saying. The entire beach went silent and we could then understand he was shouting “lifeguard”! It looked like he and another person were supporting a third person. The lifeguard immediately swam out to them. It seemed like it took forever to get to shore. I’m sure in actuality it was only a few minutes. Since I am an RN, I ran to the shore to meet them as they dragged a man out of the water. He was in full arrest. There were about 5 of us who ran to help. Nurses, a paramedic and an ER doctor. I stepped back as we were not all needed. As I am almost 60 I let the younger/stronger healthcare providers do the compressions, they would be more effective. For anyone who has not done CPR, it is very tiring and when you tire your compressions are not as effective. That is why rescuers switch off every few minutes. I sat with his wife/significant other...she used both terms as we sat there. It doesn’t matter because it was clear she loved him. She kept saying “but he doesn’t have any health problems. He exercises and is healthy”. Someone got an AED and they applied the pads. Unfortunately he did not have a shockable rhythm so they continued compressions. Several sets of paramedics and emergency personnel arrived and began working on him. They worked so hard for about 45 minutes when at that time they transported him to the hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

He was 64 years old and from Minnesota. This was their last day before going back home. Besides his wife he was there with 2 brothers and a sister-in-law. One brother had been snorkeling with him and had gone back to shore. The man who died wanted just a little longer in the water, his brother said.

As I have been reflecting and replaying the experience in my mind a couple of things have stood out. My faith in humanity is strengthened. SO many people offered help and support to the man and to the family. We were all strangers. All activity and sound on the beach stopped as everyone watched. I didn’t get the feeling people were gawking in a voyeuristic way, but rather as a collective group hoping, wishing and praying that he would respond to the resuscitation efforts. The response from Waiohai was impressive and reassuring. it was very sobering. As I looked around the group on the beach and at the resort, the majority of us were within a few years of the man receiving help. I’m sure we all at some point had the thought, there but for the grace of God go I.
Absolutely heartbreaking. Ugh. Killing me
 

WBP

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Monday morning I had just come in from snorkeling in front of Waiohai. There was a wicked current so I had to exert more energy than normal to swim, even with fins on. My husband and I were sitting on the beach as I was drying off when a man in the water started shouting. At first no one could understand what he was saying. The entire beach went silent and we could then understand he was shouting “lifeguard”! It looked like he and another person were supporting a third person. The lifeguard immediately swam out to them. It seemed like it took forever to get to shore. I’m sure in actuality it was only a few minutes. Since I am an RN, I ran to the shore to meet them as they dragged a man out of the water. He was in full arrest. There were about 5 of us who ran to help. Nurses, a paramedic and an ER doctor. I stepped back as we were not all needed. As I am almost 60 I let the younger/stronger healthcare providers do the compressions, they would be more effective. For anyone who has not done CPR, it is very tiring and when you tire your compressions are not as effective. That is why rescuers switch off every few minutes. I sat with his wife/significant other...she used both terms as we sat there. It doesn’t matter because it was clear she loved him. She kept saying “but he doesn’t have any health problems. He exercises and is healthy”. Someone got an AED and they applied the pads. Unfortunately he did not have a shockable rhythm so they continued compressions. Several sets of paramedics and emergency personnel arrived and began working on him. They worked so hard for about 45 minutes when at that time they transported him to the hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

He was 64 years old and from Minnesota. This was their last day before going back home. Besides his wife he was there with 2 brothers and a sister-in-law. One brother had been snorkeling with him and had gone back to shore. The man who died wanted just a little longer in the water, his brother said.

As I have been reflecting and replaying the experience in my mind a couple of things have stood out. My faith in humanity is strengthened. SO many people offered help and support to the man and to the family. We were all strangers. All activity and sound on the beach stopped as everyone watched. I didn’t get the feeling people were gawking in a voyeuristic way, but rather as a collective group hoping, wishing and praying that he would respond to the resuscitation efforts. The response from Waiohai was impressive and reassuring. it was very sobering. As I looked around the group on the beach and at the resort, the majority of us were within a few years of the man receiving help. I’m sure we all at some point had the thought, there but for the grace of God go I.

Kudos to you for your humanitarian actions, and unwavering care and compassion.

How impressive that you know about the effectiveness of manual, external cardiac compressions, and rescuer/compressor fatigue.

Sadly, at the 20 minute mark, the likelihood of the patient surviving a non-Vfib cardiac arrest is abysmal, but, may the family find comfort in knowing that everything was done for their loved one.

Remember, 50 years ago, LESS in many communities, the care that you saw delivered - - on the beach - - was delivered only in a hospital. Then came the advent of paramedics and Mobile Coronary Care in Los Angeles County, and Seattle, WA. Ironically, the 50 year anniversary of the Medic One program in Seattle/King County was to have been celebrated this weekend, but, sadly (in the context of the health and safety of the attendees), that celebration was cancelled, due to the Coronavirus.


If given the option, I'd much rather die snorkeling in Hawaii, than from the Coronavirus.

Peace.
 

mentalbreak

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Thank you and the other helpers for being there and giving your all. I am certain that the family is beyond thankful for your care and compassion.
 

artringwald

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Very sad. Here's an article about it.

https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/mn-man-dies-while-snorkeling-in-ocean-off-hawaiian-island

We just left Poipu last Saturday. The last 3 weeks we were there, the winds were strong and the waves were big. The Poipu Beach Bark used to have a tombolo, a sandbar connecting the offshore rocks and the shoreline. Over the years, the sandbar has been there less often, and the current on the right side can get very strong. Even when the tombolo is there, snorkeling on the right side can be difficult. When snorkeling any place where you see a lifeguard, it's best to ask them about the conditions.
 

mentalbreak

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I hope the autopsy gives them some answers. It may have been the conditions, but maybe not. A very similar snorkeling incident happened to my father almost a year ago. Well-placed angels noticed him and brought him back with chest compressions. We will never know exactly what happened.
My heart goes out to his family and all that witnessed this tragedy.
 

davidvel

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Despite reports of no prior heart issues, one does not go into full cardiac arrest without underlying problems. It is likely this could have happened parasailing or taking a walk.

Thank you to all of the professional and amateur first responders for trying to save him.
 
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heatherw

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If given the option, I'd much rather die snorkeling in Hawaii, than from the Coronavirus.


Absolutely..... although probably not so good for your partner if far away from the rest of the family.

So very sad but a very measured and respectuful report
 
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mjm1

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Thank you for sharing. That is terrible news, but great to hear how you and several other people rushed to assist. This incident is tragic and is a good reminder to everyone to be aware of the conditions and our own limitations.

Best regards.

Mike
 

Firepath

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While at the "happiest place on earth" yesterday, my son's girlfriend learned her best friend's father collapsed and died, and my friend's husband died. Live for today because tomorrow is not guaranteed.
And sadly someone jumped to their death at the Contemporary yesterday as well.
 

Harry

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We left on Sunday. Wish we had known Lisa was there. We also missed having a beer with you this year Greg.
This is very sad. It was one of the most rigid rip tides I ever experienced there last wee, and even those of us that we think are in good shape have to respect and be cautious. Lifeguards were constantly advising us. As I snorkeled I noticed a few who obviously were not familiar with ocean swimming and rip tides.
 

Steve Fatula

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I will add that I vividly recall riptides as a kid. I was maybe 6 years ago, wading in the Ocean, and, got pulled out. Was not a decent swimmer, was fighting with everything I had but losing. My big brother was able to pull me back in, but, had he have not seen me, I suppose there is >0 chance I could have drowned. I now *always* watch kids in the ocean, even though we don't have any.
 

icydog

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Thanks for reporting this so soberly. I think, for me, the take away is only swim in the ocean with a buddy. And then only when there is a Green Flag by the lifeguard stand
 

LisaRex

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My only consolation is that he died, presumably, doing something he loved, and that he must have had a really great last week on Earth. Not the worst way to go, IMO.
 
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