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The following message is forwarded from Bob Isdepski, the founder of Sub
Ocean Safety and organizer of the 1st U/W Marathon to benefit the Miskito
Coast Indians of Central America. When he's speaking about spending time in
the hospital, Bob is referring to a mild DCS hit he took as a result of this
event.
Rocky Daniels
------------
Thanks to the dedicated and most professional teamwork of the Sub
Ocean Safety crew, we were able to make a notable success of our first U/W
Marathon.
Firstly, we are well on our way toward publicizing the international
plague of decompression disease that is running rampant in the third and
fourth world diving fisheries. Expect international media coverage with
exceptional video of the diver paralysis problems and u/w race highlights.
Secondly, with a most notable contribution of $3,600 from the
Honduranean lobster fleet (yes, we can productively work with all parties
involved), and an equal amount coming from concerned citizens, SOS can
expect to have it's chamber (located on the Miskito Coast) operational this
summer, ready to treat hundreds of injured divers.
I thank everyone for helping; notably: Jolie Bookspan, Ph.D., Rocky
Daniels, the Destin (Florida) Tourist Commission, tireless work by SOS
volunteers, Sport Fishing Captain Jim Roberson (904-651-3507), SOS PR
volunteers Susan Williams and Jess Peters, astronaut/commercial diver Mike
Gernhardt, Hyperbaric Drs. David Youngblood and Tom Millington, vidographer
Jorge Torres, Rodales Scuba Diving, Jorge Giraldez (Publisher of Latin
America, On-Line), Rob Curran (Your press Release Connection), saturation
diving supervisor Dave Rossi, Rod Cruze (Aqua Air Industries, Harvey, LA)
the Izdepski family and numerous others.
Lastly, as a part of the extended SOS family, I was able to walk 15
plus miles underwater, off the Destin shores, a world record. This was
accomplished on June 12, under less than ideal conditions. On June 5, SOS
ran into Louisiana Bureaucracy and was stopped from crossing Lake
Pontchartrain. I called for a total news blackout, and moved the whole
program to Destin , FL.
The logistics of moving and reorganizing were very difficult, but
made much easier by a tourist commission who wanted to promote events. I
averaged four hrs. of sleep daily up to the event, but managed to stay on
schedule. The event itself was made more difficult by the open sea. Now we
had unknown waters, tides, currents, 10 degrees cooler water temperatures
and especially, wave action. There was no time for recognissance or
practice. The only time I dove that water was on the day of the race. We did
our best, and I think that we did well.
Now that I'm back from the hospital, I'm feeling better. I expect
that it will be a while before anyone goes that far again. Maby next year,
at the second annual SOS underwater races. To join the SOS family and become
elegible to travel on our fourth world diving expeditions and receive our
newsletter, send $25 to: SOS, PO box 834, Lacombe, LA, USA, 70445.
1-800-867-3807, 504-882-7286, Fax 504-882-3557. subocean@co*.ne*
Unstoppably yours,
Bob Izdepski
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