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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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It was Fitting that Bandage International Passed out Lifesavers

by tacogirl 07/11/2013
written by tacogirl 07/11/2013
san pedro belize red cross at banana beach resort

Yesterday morning I was having the best dream ever, I was skydiving, and not a tandem jump either it was a solo flight. I was doing a long slow free fall over the country of Belize and could see tons of lush jungle and the odd large house but no real town areas. Although I could not see or feel a parachute but since I was falling so slowly I was not scared, the other odd thing was that there was no jump plane. After a while I was able to see the island and knew I was going to be coming in for a landing soon. For fun I looked up the meaning of a skydiving dream and here is what I found – To dream of skydiving represents feeling good taking a big chance, risk, or being dangerous. Enjoying doing something that everyone else thinks is crazy. High ideals and thinking out of the box – sounds good to me 🙂

It was looking like an  amazing sunrise, I could see from our kitchen window the sky was lighting up all pink and orange. I was so temped to go snap a few pictures but knew I could get not afford to get bedazzled at the beach. I had to pick Anthony up at 6:40am and get to Reef Radio and TV on time for the morning show. Anthony and Darryl gave a great interview with show host Aiden Salazar and talked about the importance of first aid in Belize and the businesses who are who are stepping up to help make Ambergris Caye a safer place.

Class went great, 28 people including myself finished the first half of 2 day training, Darryl and his crew are really good teachers. One of the many things I learned this time around was no more pulse checks in CPR even a 20 second delay for something like that can significantly decrease a patients risk of survival. There is also officially no more breathing, no matter how remote your location, Darryl said more often that not breathing is not done effectively and as a result could cause more harm than good. He taught us a handy rhyme to survey a scene for safety – fire, wire, gas, glass. Darryl also gave us a good reminder when it comes to the scene of an accident if it  is wet and sticky and not yours don’t touch it 🙂 There are so many important things to remember when administering first aid the most important is to keep calm, act quickly, safely and gain as much information about the patient as possible until you transfer them over to a more qualified person. The 28 people getting trained are staff from the following businesses: Victoria House Resort, South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch, Romantic travel Belize, Consolidated Water, Grand Caribe, Spiez Pharmacy, Coastal Xpress and tacogirl.com.

It was very fitting that Annie Mae passed out lifesavers at the end of class as one of the students was a lifesaver. Back in 2011 South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch Patrol Officer Coye was instrumental in the saving  a four year old’s life  who was visiting from Belize City and was discovered unconscious in a  swimming pool. Coye having just taken the course with Bandage 2 days earlier, rendered first aid and revived the boy who was quickly transported to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez Poly Clinic.

This marked Coye’s 3rd time doing the first aid course with Bandage International which goes to show you can never have enough training. After class when we all went out side to meet the boy, now seven whose life he had saved – very proud moment and a humbling experience. Bandage International presented Coye with a logo shirt and made him an honorary BI member and they gave the boy lots of toys from Canada to celebrate. Think about it seriously, if it were not for Coye, the boy would not be playing any longer. The event was filmed for the fundraising documentary being done about Bandage International so that they can come to Belize more often. As it stands they believe in Belize and the cause so strongly that the money to come here is out of their own pocket which is why we currently see them only once a year. San Pedro Belize Red Cross and Bandage international would like to thank the following local businesses for their contributions: Maya Island Air, El Divino Restaurant at Banana Beach Resort, Victoria House Resort, Royal Caribbean, Ultimate Carts and Carts Belize.

Formed  in September 2005 by a group of paramedics and emergency care nurses and doctors Bandage International is a Canadian medical charity from Halifax Nova Scotia. They offer quality First Aid and CPR training in partnership with the Belize Red Cross. Their courses cover  bandaging, splinting, burns, cpr for adult, child, infant, choking. They cover medical emergencies including heart attacks, stroke, asthma, seizures, water emergencies, using AED’s, smoke inhalation and do hands on practical sessions.

Darryl Chickness talking about why first Aid is so important in Countries like Belize where there is limited or no emergency response availability – video by TimbooktwoChannel.

Because I was taking the course I vowed not to carry a good camera so I would not get caught up taking pictures. I did snap a couple off with my camera phone because this is too important an event not to blog – not as good quality pics but they are better than none.

darryl chickness of bandage nternationa

Darryl Anthony and Aidan discussing first aid on the morning show

anthony anderson san pedro belize red cross

Antony, Darryl and Dale one of his camera crew

el divino restaurant at banana beach belize

Stewed chicken at El Divino

el divino restaurant at banana beach resort

Grilled fish at El Divino

bandage international at banana beach belize

Filming Bandage International fundraising documentary

bandage international at banana beach resort

Bandage International presenting Coye with a logo shirt

san pedro belize red cross at banana beach resort

Impressive group shot of everyone who attended class today – yay team

bandage international at banana beach resort

Coye in his Bandage International shirt and the Belize City boy with his toys

Living in a tourist community with limited medical attention, the Belize Red Cross focuses intensively of training individuals to learn basic first aid in order to be able to help out in times of emergency. Interviews with Darryl Chickness of Bandage International, Winnie Parchu of Belize Red Cross, John Grief of Tropic Air and Stacey Chesnick the Phoenix Resort – video by Manuel Media.

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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2 comments

Susan Chickness 13/11/2013 - 7:50 am

So proud of Bandage International for continuing
To do a great job in Belize.
From a very proud Mom

Reply
tacogirl 13/11/2013 - 8:02 am

You have a lot to be proud of Susan. So many of us on Ambergris Caye love Bandage international crew and their commitment to helping us make the island and Belize a safer place. We welcome them with open arms anytime.

Reply

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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