Shark Attack In Cancun

[sassyalice]

CTV Toronto - Ontario nurse recovering from shark bite in Mexico - CTV News
Cancun not Coz

 

[Sue Sue]

OK...your title is somewhat misleading....It technically should be "Shark bite-Cancun"...there is a difference. Yes, the mainland and the island of Cozumel are connected by only a body of water...AND..a shark attack is not impossible EVER for Cozumel...but there is still a big difference between Cancun and Cozumel. Regardless, the attack is tragic and I am sure everyone hopes for the best for the young lady involved.

 

[sassyalice]

OK...your title is somewhat misleading....It technically should be "Shark bite-Cancun"...there is a difference. Yes, the mainland and the island of Cozumel are connected by only a body of water...AND..a shark attack is not impossible EVER for Cozumel...but there is still a big difference between Cancun and Cozumel. Regardless, the attack is tragic and I am sure everyone hopes for the best for the young lady involved.

It's as easy as me coming back from Coz not too log ago and having its name stuck in my head more then Cancun. Ever have that happen to you? But thanks

 

[Sue Sue]

Can't say I have..

 

[DandyDon]

I've been confused over names before, usually new names, but not always. Looks like it was fixed.

The first thread on this in the Mexico forum stated that she lost an arm http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/mexico/368749-shark-badly-bites-swimmer-cancun-today.html

That was corrected in another http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/mexico/368940-woman-did-not-lose-arm-leg-shark-attack.html Still, sounds like severe injuries. Nothing said about her being a scuba diver so I doubt that she had dive insurance. Hope she had good trip insurance, but I suppose her rehab will be covered by their national plan once she gets back to Canada?

This news story claims that she was outside of the protected area and some of the swimmers were shooting pics of the shark birthing Possible shark attack leaves Canadian in intensive care

 

[stevep4444]

There have been many different versions of this story out there. After hearing a radio interview with the victim I believe the version that she went into the water to cool off after playing beach volleyball. She was in shallow water and all of a sudden hit hard in the leg and immediately assumed it was a shark. She tried to get out of the water but it came back at her and she was bitten a couple times attempting to defend herself. Apparently, down the beach there had been shark sightings and warnings but she was unaware. Not sure the extent of the damage but she is apparently not likely to lose her arm or leg. She claims to be getting very good care at the hospital and is good spirits under the circumstances.

 

[Ayisha]

Hope she had good trip insurance, but I suppose her rehab will be covered by their national plan once she gets back to Canada?

Yes, I believe she will be covered by our *provincial* health care when she gets back. Her hospital care will definitely be covered here as it is for any Ontarian and she will get disability payments until she is able to work again. Most hospitals have good extended health care benefits for their employees and she was a nurse, so she will most likely get extended health care benefits for her rehab, etc. as well.

 

[DandyDon]

Yes, I believe she will be covered by our *provincial* health care when she gets back. Her hospital care will definitely be covered here as it is for any Ontarian and she will get disability payments until she is able to work again. Most hospitals have good extended health care benefits for their employees and she was a nurse, so she will most likely get extended health care benefits for her rehab, etc. as well.

I hope she was aware that her national coverage did not cover her on the trip and took trip insurance with good medical benefits. I prefer comprehensive trip insurance but there are plans for medical only, include medical evacuation, and they're pretty cheap.

 

[Ayisha]

Hi Don, we don't have national health coverage that I know of. Our provinces (like states) cover us for health care. Comprehensive trip insurance is definitely a good thing to have. If she did not have it on her own, hopefully she had work provided travel insurance benefits that cover emergency medical needs, as is common around here.

I have DAN insurance as well as comprehensive travel insurance by the year rather than per trip. It covers me and my husband for trips out of the country for up to 2 months at a time. It is full coverage and costs only $116 for a whole family per year (because I also have my car and house insurance with them, otherwise it does cost a lot more). There are yearly comprehensive travel insurance plans in the U.S. as well. I have travel insurance with my work but much prefer my DAN insurance and this plan: Comprehensive and Affordable Travel Insurance

 

[Ayisha]

BTW, she is covered under our provincial insurance while she is being treated in Cancun for her injuries from the shark attack for up to $400 Cdn total per day while she is in the operating room or intensive care. After that, while she is an in-patient, it will go down to $200 Cdn per day. It is still advised to have extra insurance since the costs could be more than that, it only covers emergencies that begin outside of Canada, and it does not cover anything and everything.

If you are interested, here is a breakdown of what our provincial plan covers and does not cover: Travelling Outside Canada - Ontario Health Insurance Plan - Publications - Public Information - MOHLTC