Jbr 23 Feb-7March. Over the years my visits to Bali have always given me such a wonderful feeling of well-being and peace. This time was no exception except for my first morning. I was up at 6am(years of emergency nursing refuse to allow my body clock to change) and decided what better way to start my holiday than a walk on the beach. Staying at the Melasti Legian allows me to walk straight onto the sand but to my horror there was resuscitation taking place on the water's edge.
Now every nurse dreads this situation, questioning whether to offer help or not. Another tourist heard me mumbling and asked me if I was a nurse to which I replied yes. He suggested I go to help as they had been 'working' on this chap for a while. I did go down and must admit those attempting to resus this guy were doing a valiant effort. I asked how long it had been going for and was told they dragged him from the water at 6am, nearly 40 mins by now. I felt no pulse...If this was in Australia help would have arrived but this was Bali.
The lifesaver came over, had a look and took off at 100mph in the opposite direction, locals were crowding the scene and talking very loudly but not offering to assist. The 'Ambulance' arrived and calls went out to bring the chap up to the road. Not wanting to stop CPR, they were asked to come to the patient. A gent in his nice scrubs sauntered down to the scene and said to bring him to the car. I asked him where his stretcher was and he said they didn't have one. I asked him where his defibrillator was, (pointing to the heart and making shock sounds, because he didn't understand me) and he said 'no no, have at the clinic' It was decided that he be lifted and taken to the car where he was taken to a clinic.
I later was told they tried all the resus stuff at the clinic but with no success. I was also was told that this chap who was 48yrs old, had been drinking all night and decided to go for a swim at 6am rather than bed. He was not alone and the young guy with him from the bar was hysterical. This chap was staying with his Mum and Sister who were naturally devastated. The hell continued for them trying to get their son/brother certified and home. The consulate assisted them but they were told by the airline they were with that they would have to pay for new fares to get home.
Thanks JETSTAR for your utter lack of empathy towards these devastated women. They were also advised by the insurance company that they would not be covered because he was intoxicated when he drowned.
This is the reality of holidaying in Bali. If you get seriously sick, have a heart attack or other serious condition there is a high chance that you will die.
The rest of my holiday was wonderful as ever, a visit to Amlapura and the Orphanage with friends that had never been there before was fantastic. The kids are doing so well now and some of the older ones that have left have found jobs nearby. Kadek and Wayan continue with their selfless raising of these kids. Also visited the home of a young girl who I have known for years and has married and has a baby boy now. I felt so honoured to have been given this chance to be truly welcomed by her family, who made us feel like VIP's.
I also finally got to meet some BTF'ers( Yappa and the gorgeous Laura) who I have been talking to for a few years on the social media but never in person. S&S is thriving, Suzie shared a huge bag of Bra's I had collected amongst the beach ladies ( the simple things are the most appreciated) Had many massages, ate far too much food and enjoyed a bintang or two every day. That's it for now, back in August god willing. Cheers Carmel