It was many years ago, before I had children, even before I met my husband. I was on a SCUBA diving holiday with my best friend in Bonaire, a Dutch island about 50 miles north of the Venezuela coast. That’s me in red and black:
Someone even got a shot of me under the water:
I have only vague memories of the moment I knew I was in trouble, reaching out to my buddy but then spotting the boat out of the corner of my eye. I made it on board and eventually to the partially open-air hospital. My initial doctor spoke very little English but did manage to instruct me to. “Take off a lot of your clothes and sit over there.”
He confirmed what we already knew; I needed to see the hyperbaric specialist as I most likely had decompression sickness (the bends). Unfortunately, the specialist was home with his family. I doubt he was happy to be called in on his day off, but he came.
He took me into another exam room for standard neurological tests. I had to stand with my feet shoulder-width apart, arms out to the side, eyes closed and alternating one hand at a time touching my nose. Seems normal enough, except he made me do this naked.
Suddenly the silence is broken with an announcement over the loudspeaker in a language I don’t speak, followed by encouragement from my doctor, “Keep going.”
Next thing I know a few other people walk into the room and say something to the doctor whisper, giggle and leave.
All the while there I am still touching my nose, left, right, left, right . . .
Then more people come in, whisper and leave – although some stay around.
“Keep going.”
Left, right, left, right . . .
Eventually, I went into the hyperbaric chamber. My doctor (the one who made me stand touching my nose) is the barefoot man on the chair. The spots on the floor are dirt.
I don’t speak the language so I can only guess, I think he announced, “Naked women in exam room 4.”
I didn’t let this incident stop me completely. We let both of our girls get their Open Water certificates in while we were in Fiji a few years ago. They have also been SCUBA diving in Palamos, Spain and have taken surfing lessons in Essaouira Morocco.
A Reminder to Consider Travel Insurance
This is not our only visit to an emergency room when we travel. We also needed medical attention in the USA, Australia, Germany, and on the island of Samoa. We are always thankful that we carry Travel Insurance, and additional extreme sports cover when we are diving or doing other things excluded by our main policy.
Albom Adventures readers can Save 5% on Travel Insurance with World Nomads* when you Use this Code: ALBOMADV
*For our Canadian and US travellers, unfortunately due to financial services laws, we cannot provide a discount. This promotional code cannot be used with any other discount offer, including World Nomads Members’ discount for travel insurance policyholders.
My question to you what do you think: What did he say over the hospital speaker?
All photos ©Albom Design 2013. All Rights Reserved.
Elaine J Masters
That’s awful!! First getting the bends is bad enough but being subjected to naked scrutiny is worse (in my shy perspective.) I’m an avid diver and hope never to meet a Hyperbaric chamber other than on a tour!
Rhonda Albom
So many years later I can look back on it and laugh. At the time, it was horrifying.
stevebethere
LOL that had me engrossed heheh! but I would have been so embarrassed, it must have been quite daunting really.
He could have been saying “Come check out my slave she will do anything I say”
I hate them tannoys when you haven’t a clue what their saying It’s like that on our Underground It’s infuriating LOL
Have a bendstastic day 🙂
Joyce
Well he didn’t say, “Come see a naked woman from the Itty Bitty Titty Committee.”
Carol Kilgore
That’s the best story I’ve heard in a long time. Thanks for giving me such a great laugh. No offense meant, but I’m happy it was you instead of me.
LD Masterson
Could have been worse. The announcement for me would have been, “Naked pudgy American with flat chest…”
Comedy Plus
Yep, everyone got to take a look at you naked. Not really that funny. Shame on them. At least you find this funny and that’s the important part.
Have a terrific day. 🙂
L. Diane Wolfe
Oh my God! I think if you add the words “dumb American” you’ll have something very close to what he really said.
Dana
LOL Great story! I can’t even imagine… 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog today. Have a happy Monday. ☺
J. A. Bennett
Hahaha! Oh my gosh! I would die from embarrassment!
Hilary
Hi Rhonda .. I agree – great story … and now at least you can look back and not collapse with embarrassment … what he said over the tannoy – I’ve no idea … ‘come look’ possibly .. here’s a fun one .. young too … for now!
Cheers and glad you’re here to tell the tale – Hilary
Lisa
That is a brilliant story!
Laura Eno
I think you’re right. 🙂 At least you can look back and laugh about it!