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At the first glance it may appear admirable that there is an effort to respond to the problems of the Misqito Indians. Their plight assuredly is not the only one, with numerous groups of people exploited around the world, routinely. However, Focusing on this issue: Providing a chamber, a relatively complex and training/resource intensive facility, is being contemplated. This appears to be providing boxes of band-aid that require an expensive adhesive that is not available locally to a resource deficient society. A comparable error was propagated at a larger scale in the 50's where dry milk was distributed to malnourished populations who not only did not have clean water to make 'milk' from the powder, but also lacked lactase, thus developed diarrhea and thus furthered their malnutrition. What the Mosqito Indian divers appear to need more are: 1. Protection, via legislation, from the tyranny of 'lobster lords' 2. Training in safe diving techniques 3. Training in adequate 1st aid techniques 4. Development of alternate resources for exploitation. Experience with this group indicates that indeed treatment of even the more severe cases, with much delay between incidence and treatment, have been succesful and thus a chamber is worthwhile. However a facility is now available and is being used. A cost estimate of bringing a chamber on line at this remote location, training adequate personnel and keeping the chamber opearting for a significant portion of its operational life, together with attendent physical plant and medical facilities must be compared to the cost of training and re-educting the populace. The names, at least Drs. Meter & Bookspan, are familiar to many and their opinions on a comparison of the effectivity and costs of bringing a chamber on line & operating it vs spending funds towards education, training and alternate resource development would maybe make this discussion more worthwhile. In a nutshell, a sentimental issue is brought forth with a background 'support' of some recognized names in dive medicine. The issue that remains unanswered is: is providing a chamber the best approach and how much have alternate approaches received consideration? Specifically: what other approaches did SOS contemplate prior to launching this grandoise move? What were the basis for their rejection? If they were not rejected, why are they not included in the appeal for help? What have the specific inputs of the names used to fortify the appeal for assistance been? Regards Esat Atikkan
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