Trained staff makes for a safer environment for volunteers.

Sea Turtle Conservation Bonaire works with more than 60 volunteers. They help us with outreach, clean-up dives, in-water surveys and nest monitoring patrols. Our field work does not always come without risks; we spend many hours on and in the water and sun which can be physically demanding. By participating in trainings about safety, we can ensure our staff is up to date and can assist in case of any emergencies. After two years, we were ready for an update on our life saving skills.

Recently our staff has finished their Emergency Response training with SDI dive school Reef Divers on Bonaire. During this training they have learned everything about reanimation, AED’s and the administration of oxygen; important training for when we do our in-water surveys. During these surveys our staff and volunteers spend many hours in the water actively swimming and freediving. We practiced administering chest compressions and reanimation breaths on Mani the doll and saved his life successfully many times! We also practiced with administering oxygen with the use of our own emergency oxygen, so we are familiar when using our own equipment.

Besides the primary safety training, we are also completely up to date on what to do in case of serious bleedings, shock, spinal injuries, choking, marine stings, hypothermia and hyperthermia. We placed each other in the recovery position, bandaged imaginary wounds and practiced with the placing of safety barriers. We are happy to know that our staff and volunteers will be in safe hands while participating in our fieldwork.

A special thank you to Jurgen from Reef Divers Bonaire for teaching us the EFR course and for updating our life saving skills.