I think my upcoming Bonaire trip is my fourth or maybe fifth, and I have gotten the idea to get serious about being able to call for help from a dive site or other remote location. After all, the Rescue Diver course and probably any other dive safety course stresses that a diver should have an emergency plan in place that includes how to contact EMS. The problem on Bonaire, of course, is that many of us are reluctant to leave a phone (not to mention a first aid kit) in the truck unattended. So that I can now take my phone with me during a dive, I acquired a fully waterproof case, designed for holding a PLB. A few questions:
1. How is the coverage on the island? Digicel's website has a coverage map that is not all that encouraging for my purposes: Coverage Map - Coverage Map. Can anyone who has experimented with checking out the coverage from remote sites tell me what they found? I'm serious enough about this to bring a cell phone, but not serious enough to bring a satellite phone.
2. I have an unlocked GSM phone I have bought foreign SIM cards for on trips elsewhere in the world, and that worked great, but I have read that buying a local SIM card on Bonaire can be a bit of a hassle, as you need to buy them at the Digicel office. True? What's the thinking on the best way for a visitor to make local calls? I suppose I could just pay the roaming charge from my US provider (AT&T) in the event I need to make a local call. I care less about the roaming charge--I mean, this is mostly for emergencies--than I do about ensuring the call goes through without a hiccup. However, I wouldn't mind having a phone with me for non-emergencies, such as to keep in contact with others in our group who have US phones/numbers. I have bought AT&T's 30-day international roaming "Passport" package for some trips to European countries, and that worked fine. Bonaire is listed on the AT&T website as an included country, but I would be comforted if someone were to say they have used it and it works. Maybe that's the simplest solution. What do you from the US who routinely bring your phones to Bonaire do?
3. What number(s) should I be prepared to call in the event help is needed? I found this information but don't know if it's up to date:
Bonaire Hospital:
Hospitaal San Francisco (Kaya Soeur Bartola #2, Kralendijk). The hospital has 60 beds. You will need to provide your own blankets, pillows, and sleepwear. Keep in mind, this hospital is not like large hospitals in the U.S.
Phone: +599 717 8900
Fax: +599 717 7990
Bonaire Recompression Chamber:
The hyperbaric recompression chamber is located adjacent to the hospital; admittance is through the emergency room at the hospital. Do not go directly to the Chamber in a dive emergency; go to the hospital emergency room.
Bonaire Ambulance Emergency Number:
The emergency phone number for the ambulance is 114.
Bonaire Police Emergency Numbers:
Call 911 first. This number is manned by one person, so if no one answers, call 717-8000.
STINAPA and Bonaire Marine Park:
To report vandalism on the reef, or marine park violations, please call 717-8444.
I might add DAN to that list of numbers to have programmed in the phone. And the truck rental company!
Has anyone tried dialing "411" for an ambulance? I'm almost surprised Bonaire doesn't have a hotline specifically for divers out at the sites.
4. Anything else to consider? I suppose a real emergency plan would also involve taking a first aid kit and that sort of thing. I have to believe essentially nobody does that, due to the theft risk. <sigh>
1. How is the coverage on the island? Digicel's website has a coverage map that is not all that encouraging for my purposes: Coverage Map - Coverage Map. Can anyone who has experimented with checking out the coverage from remote sites tell me what they found? I'm serious enough about this to bring a cell phone, but not serious enough to bring a satellite phone.
2. I have an unlocked GSM phone I have bought foreign SIM cards for on trips elsewhere in the world, and that worked great, but I have read that buying a local SIM card on Bonaire can be a bit of a hassle, as you need to buy them at the Digicel office. True? What's the thinking on the best way for a visitor to make local calls? I suppose I could just pay the roaming charge from my US provider (AT&T) in the event I need to make a local call. I care less about the roaming charge--I mean, this is mostly for emergencies--than I do about ensuring the call goes through without a hiccup. However, I wouldn't mind having a phone with me for non-emergencies, such as to keep in contact with others in our group who have US phones/numbers. I have bought AT&T's 30-day international roaming "Passport" package for some trips to European countries, and that worked fine. Bonaire is listed on the AT&T website as an included country, but I would be comforted if someone were to say they have used it and it works. Maybe that's the simplest solution. What do you from the US who routinely bring your phones to Bonaire do?
3. What number(s) should I be prepared to call in the event help is needed? I found this information but don't know if it's up to date:
Bonaire Hospital:
Hospitaal San Francisco (Kaya Soeur Bartola #2, Kralendijk). The hospital has 60 beds. You will need to provide your own blankets, pillows, and sleepwear. Keep in mind, this hospital is not like large hospitals in the U.S.
Phone: +599 717 8900
Fax: +599 717 7990
Bonaire Recompression Chamber:
The hyperbaric recompression chamber is located adjacent to the hospital; admittance is through the emergency room at the hospital. Do not go directly to the Chamber in a dive emergency; go to the hospital emergency room.
Bonaire Ambulance Emergency Number:
The emergency phone number for the ambulance is 114.
Bonaire Police Emergency Numbers:
Call 911 first. This number is manned by one person, so if no one answers, call 717-8000.
STINAPA and Bonaire Marine Park:
To report vandalism on the reef, or marine park violations, please call 717-8444.
I might add DAN to that list of numbers to have programmed in the phone. And the truck rental company!
Has anyone tried dialing "411" for an ambulance? I'm almost surprised Bonaire doesn't have a hotline specifically for divers out at the sites.
4. Anything else to consider? I suppose a real emergency plan would also involve taking a first aid kit and that sort of thing. I have to believe essentially nobody does that, due to the theft risk. <sigh>
