Odysseys of George

As I traveled home from a dive recently, I heard a friend of mine discussing about an incident that recently occurred. An experienced instructor was probably suffering from decompression sickness after doing a dive at just 18metres deep. The instructor was ill and his only hope is to get himself to a hyperbaric chamber located almost 300km up north from the incident site. The outcome depends totally on how severe the decompression sickness is and how fast they can get him into the chamber. The worst is obviously death!

As diving sport picks up pace and becomes a popular hobby, one has to realize that there are more such cases to come. Also, as diving becomes more popular, those in the industry are bound to cut corners and simplify courses in order to earn fast bucks. This then leads to more inadequately trained divers and many irresponsible trainers.

Such is the case of the above scenario. An instructor trying to cut his safety diving profile in order to earn more. This in itself reflects the attitude of the instructor and though he may be a nice individual but irresponsibility in a sport than can be fatal is totally wrong. He should be dismissed and not given the chance to train another individual.

Strangely, this was also a topic of discussion during the dive I went for. A senior diver and also an instructor noted that the syllabus for training for courses in diving has been modified so much to make it easier to attain the license. As we discussed, we realized the mark differences in the syllabus during his time, mine and a recent diver. Generally, to make diving more recreational, the diving associations have made it more relaxing. Less stress is seem to be given to the importance of safety and diving hazards and more focus given on how to dive. Maybe it is not just the associations but also the instructors who again cut corners and fear to touch the issues that may cause students to worry, and further make quick bug money. And because they, the instructors close their eyes to the importance of dive safety and hazards, those who train under them would follow and thus a string of irresponsible and inadequately trained rankings from open water to advance, rescue diver, divemasters and assistant instructors are made. Not only do they harm themselves but do not realize that they have misplaced or erased the responsibility given to them upon getting certified and place harm or possible harm on other divers they accompany.

So for those who aspire to dive, choose wisely – ask and evaluate. Assess the character of your trainer and see whether he or she holds the attitudes of a responsible trusted instructor. At the end of your training, you should be able to say that you are confident to dive safely! For those who are already diving, continue to practice safe diving. For those who train others, please have the sense of responsibility that your trainees trust you with their lives during and after training. So be responsible and dive safely!

Feed small kids small fish

Last updated: Monday, January 07, 2008

Small kids should eat only small fish to avoid building up dangerously high levels of mercury, Australian health officials warned on Sunday following research on three Asian families who fed their children a rice and fish porridge called congee.

Their children, aged 15 months to two years, who had eaten congee – known as juk in Korea and chao in Vietnam – had up to five times normal mercury levels, according to a report in the Medical Journal of Australia.
Stephen Corbett, a doctor with the Sydney West Area Health Service, told reporters that fish of the right type in the right quantity was good for children’s nutrition.

“Two to three portions a week and small fish for small fry,” he advised, warning that mercury at even relatively low levels could affect children’s development.

Fish to avoid

Dr Lisa Szabo, chief scientist of the New South Wales Food Authority, said that parents had to worry about only six types of fish: shark, broadbill, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and catfish.

“In part it’s because they’re bigger,” she said. “But they’re also longer-lived and they’re predatory fish, which means that they eat a lot of small fish so that’s why they tend to accumulate the mercury.”

Prior to hosting the Grand Rounds last week, I was interviewed by Nicholas Genes, for the Pre-Rounds Medscape Med Students.

The interview article was actually posted on the 12th November. Please feel free to check it out.

Surgeon Dives Deep to Display Photos of the OR and the Ocean Floor

Posted 12/11/2007

Nicholas Genes, MD, PhD

What does a starfish have in common with a gallbladder? They both possess a fascinating beauty, at least when photographed by Dr. Geeverughese C. George. A surgeon and frequent traveler, Dr. George shares his photos and thoughts online at The Odysseys of George. In our recent correspondence, Dr. George discussed his background, photography, and some of the differences in Malaysian medicine.

Dr. Genes: For a surgeon, you sure seem to live life to the fullest! Is that your interpretation of your site’s motto, “Vita non est vivere sed valere”?

Dr. George: Well, living life to the fullest is something I aim for everyday. There is more to life than just work and career achievements. I enjoy travelling and thus I try to take some time away to do this. Diving was always something that interested me, but due to some reasons, I only managed to do it a few years ago — and since then I’ve never regretted it and never looked back. It has also made me indulge in photography more, as the beauty beneath the seas is awesome.

The Odysseys of George hosts Grand Rounds
December 11, 2007

Dr. Genes: What camera do you use underwater? Is it the same as what you use for your pathology and OR photography?

Dr. George: I am using a “point and shoot” camera, and have yet to invest in a dSLR. I am using a Canon G7 with Ikelite casing and a strobe for underwater lighting. I use the same camera for my land and OR shots.

Dr. Genes: Because of your travels, you may have a better idea of what medical careers are like in other lands. How is Malaysia different? You’ve mentioned that half of Malaysian men smoke, that you see a lot of complications from uncontrolled diabetes; how does that affect your practice or your work schedule?

Dr. George: Malaysia is a developing country, and therefore there aren’t as many specialists or subspecialists as in the Western community. The health awareness here is just coming around, but we are still very far from reaching good or excellent healthcare service and goals.

Dr. Genes: How long have you been a surgeon? Are you specializing?

Dr. George: I am a general surgeon with interest in upper gastrointestinal surgery. I have been a surgeon for 3 years now.

Dr. Genes: How did you discover blogging? Do your colleagues know about your online activities?

Dr. George: Blogging came as an “incidental finding” while trying to find a mode of communication with my sister, who migrated to Australia. Then, my friends helped me get the hang of it, and the rest is history. Many here know of my blog, and I am not anonymous. Blogging is common, but whether it is accepted by my hospital is yet unknown. I suppose if I breach rules, then they wouldn’t be too happy.

Dr. Genes: What are some of your favorite posts? What do your readers seem to like on your site?

Dr. George: My favorite posts are actually my medical and diving ones. I notice that most readers are not too interested in political topics — they tend to respond more to my photography, which is very encouraging.

Dr. Genes: Readers will have an opportunity to see more of the world through Dr. George’s eyes when he hosts Grand Rounds on December 11, 2007. Visit his site to see the best in online medical writing from doctors, nurses, researchers, students, and healthcare professionals, all arranged and organized by Dr. George.

Thank you!

The weekend saw me packing my bags for what is probably the last dive trip for the year. The group was mostly the same as the group that went to Redang recently. It was just after a week, after the ferry accident that occurred. That made us worry but like one of my articles I wrote before, was any of our public transportation safe before. We Malaysians, tend to take life for granted and as long as something never happens, it is assumed that it would never happen. Then when it actually occurs, all hell breaks loose and suddenly we become all excited and angry just to find that all goes back to how it was within 2 weeks after the last body was found. We, Malaysian are that naive that even when a fortune teller tells us to throw a watermelon into the sea, if it floats then the victim is probably alive – that also can believe and practice. Forgive me for my ignorance but as far as I know all watermelons float like coconuts. So can we, then, really blame others for this mishap when we ourselves agree to board a boat when it overloaded and further not insist on being given a life jacket or if given reluctantly wear it or if possible do not.

Anyway, I digress. The trip went well and we all enjoyed ourselves. We did a total of 5 dives and I must say, the second day was far better in terms of visibility and the marine life.

These are some of the pictures.

Part of the dive group.

As I sit to log my dives, I realise I have to make another 9 more dives to reach 100. To make it a memorable 100th dive, maybe I should dive at Sipadan or another overseas point, The Red Sea, maybe! Wow!

Dive 2: Crystal Palace, Rottnest Island

Well after a hearty lunch, we headed off to our second dive spot. We anchored and the sun was shining brightly. Again, the hearty skipper proceeded to tell us the depth and that Crystal Palace was a beautiful cavern like landscape situated towards the west. This time the temperature though still 18degrees Celcius but because of the sun, it felt better.

Th current was strong and the earth felt like it was moving because this sandy bottom only had weeds growing and thus when the weeds move it caused a relativity effect to your eyes.

We managed to find the place and I should say that this was better than the first dive. The cave like formation is made from a raised rock or coral and thus it was beautiful. One of them had their air run out so we had to surface earlier and upon ascending a large manta ray cruised at the surface ever so gentle and effortlessly despite its enormous size.

A nudibranch

This was something I had never seen. It is called a Baler snail and it is huge. Beautiful design on its body.

This chap the devil fish was irritating me when I was taking a shot of the Baler snail. So I decided to take its photo and see how nicely, this little Devil posed for me.

The three of my friends who dived with me.

Rob, John and Hayley

Thus ended my dive in Australia. The next time I come, I must go up to Ningaloo Reef.

The Lunch break or better known as Surface Interval Time

The boat proceeded closer to the island to stop over for lunch. Some of the divers took this opportunity to snorkel and freedive. I was shivering cold and the wind was not making the sun any worth.

The island is beautiful and there were a variety of birds. I fell in love with the seagulls.

Rottnest Island

The flight

Attention!

Well, the lunch was good and filling and enjoyed the seagulls while waiting for the nitrogen in my blood to dissipate off my system.

We soon made way to our next stop. Dive 2 : Crystal Palace