Thank you IVS!!!! You guys rock!!!
Stranded Pilot Whales need your help in Key Largo, FL
- Thread starter The Chairman
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There were 4 of us. Joyce, Kelly, Marvel & myself. We had the fortune of doing the midnight to 4:00 AM shift Sunday night/Monday morning. What a truly rewarding experience.
Marvel was first in when they asked her to relieve someone at secondary position on #302. Joyce and Kelly were next when asked to relieve people as secondaries on #300.
To start out with I assisted the on shore specialist as needed. She asked me to be ready to get in as needed. She soon put me as lead primary on #302. I was in the water for about 2 1/2 hours straight. I got to do a breath count, and monitor the heart rate. This put me in the position to get the true smell of a sick whales breath. MAN DID IT STINK!!!!! But you know what? It was more than worth it!
I would recommend doing this to anyone that can make the time in their lives. They expect this care to be needed for another 2 - 3 months. We are already working out our schedules so that we can go back.
Marvel was first in when they asked her to relieve someone at secondary position on #302. Joyce and Kelly were next when asked to relieve people as secondaries on #300.
To start out with I assisted the on shore specialist as needed. She asked me to be ready to get in as needed. She soon put me as lead primary on #302. I was in the water for about 2 1/2 hours straight. I got to do a breath count, and monitor the heart rate. This put me in the position to get the true smell of a sick whales breath. MAN DID IT STINK!!!!! But you know what? It was more than worth it!
I would recommend doing this to anyone that can make the time in their lives. They expect this care to be needed for another 2 - 3 months. We are already working out our schedules so that we can go back.
- Messages
- 3,100
- Reaction score
- 434
- # of dives
- I'm a Fish!
Forgot. Got to talk to a couple of people from Indian Valley Scuba after my shift was done. It is great that they are down here doing this.
Thanks ScubaJenny & FishEyeView! So thankful to be part of this great cause! And glad you both are also!
Fish (and others) I was told the stinky breath on #302 and #301 is from the formula that they are fed...
Yeah although they are babies it's not quite the same thing as cute little puppy breath, eh?
jet126
Contributor
I will never ever again complain about my dog's breath. In fact, even now, four days later, I'm still getting whiffs of whale breath. I know it's in my head but it's still there. And yes, it was worth every second. I'd even submit to the mosquito bites again.
- Messages
- 3,100
- Reaction score
- 434
- # of dives
- I'm a Fish!
After I got home yesterday I took a long shower and brushed my teeth then crashed for a couple hours. When I woke up my mouth tasted like their breath. I brushed my teeth again, and it went away. A little while ago while I was working on some invoicing the smell hit me again. I know it was not real, but it was a vivid smell memory.
jet126
Contributor
I wasnt sure what to expect when Jenny and I arrived for our 12-4am shift Friday night. It was dark and the whales were nothing more than dark shapes in the water. Four volunteers surrounded each and it was all so very quiet. The man giving the orientation said it was a hospital setting and he was right. I felt compelled to speak in a soft voice. Loud talking and laughter seemed somehow inappropriate.
I was asked to help out with 300. I took secondary position, placing one hand on her dorsal fin and the other on the shoulder of the volunteer in front of me. Her skin felt smooth and soft, more human than animal.
She was quivering. Not granny-holding-a-teacup shaky. More like a racehorse at the starting gate. If the quiver had a sound it would have been a low corvette rumble. I glanced behind me at her tail. Thats when it hit me: WHOA. Her tail, hidden from shore by the dark water, stretched out as long again as her body. The mighty strength of that tail and fluke humbled me. I was holding (holding!!!) a wild animal that could kill me as quickly and easily as a lion. And she was allowing me to stand right there next to her! I tilted my head up and looked at the night sky, full of stars. My eyes filled with tears.
At one point the lights went out. We stood in silence, holding the animals, our feet constantly shifting to maintain balance in the chest-deep water. When the lights came back on, the three whales had somehow managed to move everyone closer together. We were asked to gently herd them back into their original positions.
After a short break I was put on 302 in primary position. I could tell instantly that she was not as strong as 300. I felt if I let go she would sink. My forearm started to ache and cramp within a few minutes. It is still sore now, four days later. The breath from her blowhole was awful! She even smelled sick. She did not quiver like 300. I pray she will make it.
I wasnt sure what to expect. I wasnt expecting to fall in love with three whales. I wasnt expecting to be disappointed that I didnt get to hold the baby, 301. I wasn't expecting to dream of whales. And I certainly wasnt expecting to plan when I can volunteer again.
I was asked to help out with 300. I took secondary position, placing one hand on her dorsal fin and the other on the shoulder of the volunteer in front of me. Her skin felt smooth and soft, more human than animal.
She was quivering. Not granny-holding-a-teacup shaky. More like a racehorse at the starting gate. If the quiver had a sound it would have been a low corvette rumble. I glanced behind me at her tail. Thats when it hit me: WHOA. Her tail, hidden from shore by the dark water, stretched out as long again as her body. The mighty strength of that tail and fluke humbled me. I was holding (holding!!!) a wild animal that could kill me as quickly and easily as a lion. And she was allowing me to stand right there next to her! I tilted my head up and looked at the night sky, full of stars. My eyes filled with tears.
At one point the lights went out. We stood in silence, holding the animals, our feet constantly shifting to maintain balance in the chest-deep water. When the lights came back on, the three whales had somehow managed to move everyone closer together. We were asked to gently herd them back into their original positions.
After a short break I was put on 302 in primary position. I could tell instantly that she was not as strong as 300. I felt if I let go she would sink. My forearm started to ache and cramp within a few minutes. It is still sore now, four days later. The breath from her blowhole was awful! She even smelled sick. She did not quiver like 300. I pray she will make it.
I wasnt sure what to expect. I wasnt expecting to fall in love with three whales. I wasnt expecting to be disappointed that I didnt get to hold the baby, 301. I wasn't expecting to dream of whales. And I certainly wasnt expecting to plan when I can volunteer again.
So.. when are you ready to go back down?
yanno.. it's amazing. Like another volunteer mentioned at some point. We all go down there expecting to give of ourselves, of selfishly thinking this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We never think that we will receive, that we will forever be touched. They hold a magic that transforms.
yanno.. it's amazing. Like another volunteer mentioned at some point. We all go down there expecting to give of ourselves, of selfishly thinking this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. We never think that we will receive, that we will forever be touched. They hold a magic that transforms.
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