Tourists to Dominican Republic,
Please note that when you travel to any country outside of North America, safety standards are not by any means what we in North America have become accustomed to.
Last week a young boy of 11 years drowned at the Damajagua Falls. Although some tour operators did not take tourists to these falls because of the high amounts of precipitation that had caused the rivers to swell and the current in the falls to be excessive, one tour company did. At the second level falls, the young boy was taken by the current and sucked down into a deep pool of water. Even though he was a good swimmer, he could not save himself. A young girl risked her life by tying a rope around her waist and while others were holding the rope, jumped in an attempt to save the young boy. When she entered the pool of water she said she was afraid for her own life as she felt the water pulling her down. She and another managed to pull his body from the pool but he had spent too much time under water and died. The tour representatives at the falls had no first aid knowledge or safety procedures. A doctor who was travelling on of the tours tried to resuscitate him with no success. They carried the body for 20 minutes through the jungle, over barbed wire fences and across a swollen river before travelling back to a hospital where he was pronounced DOA.
This little 11 year old boy did not deserve to die, but his family was not made aware of the possible risks associated with going to the falls. Please remember to travel safely and assess all risks prior to leaving your resort.
Hopefully, this message will help others in assessing travel risks and making your trip safer and more enjoyable.
Yours truly,
Canadian Charlie
Please note that when you travel to any country outside of North America, safety standards are not by any means what we in North America have become accustomed to.
Last week a young boy of 11 years drowned at the Damajagua Falls. Although some tour operators did not take tourists to these falls because of the high amounts of precipitation that had caused the rivers to swell and the current in the falls to be excessive, one tour company did. At the second level falls, the young boy was taken by the current and sucked down into a deep pool of water. Even though he was a good swimmer, he could not save himself. A young girl risked her life by tying a rope around her waist and while others were holding the rope, jumped in an attempt to save the young boy. When she entered the pool of water she said she was afraid for her own life as she felt the water pulling her down. She and another managed to pull his body from the pool but he had spent too much time under water and died. The tour representatives at the falls had no first aid knowledge or safety procedures. A doctor who was travelling on of the tours tried to resuscitate him with no success. They carried the body for 20 minutes through the jungle, over barbed wire fences and across a swollen river before travelling back to a hospital where he was pronounced DOA.
This little 11 year old boy did not deserve to die, but his family was not made aware of the possible risks associated with going to the falls. Please remember to travel safely and assess all risks prior to leaving your resort.
Hopefully, this message will help others in assessing travel risks and making your trip safer and more enjoyable.
Yours truly,
Canadian Charlie