Increase in Snorkel deaths in Hawaii needs to be addressed by the state of Hawaii Legislature

Dear Editor,  December 14, 2017

Here is my experience with snorkel death in Hawaii:

"I heard a commotion on the beach. I rushed to help a daughter giving her father CPR who had drowned snorkeling. I aided with CPR until the life guards arrived. He later died. It was devastating to the family; how will they remember Hawaii?"

We have a responsibility to educate our tourists and prevent their deaths. Do you think Snorkel Bob or others will do it on their own?

Snorkeling is the leading cause of tourist drownings in Hawaii. According to the State Department of Health, 169 people—almost all tourists--were killed in snorkeling accidents between 2007-2016.  Three have died in just the last few weeks.  It hurts tourism for the news that if you come to Hawaii you may die.  Snorkel rental companies often provide no warnings, and no safety gear—they do not even ask if you can swim.  We need legislation to make all snorkel rentals and suppliers train their customers on the dangers!

Snorkel rental companies and the State of Hawaii are being targeted for a major wrongful death lawsuit by the Turbin Law group.

To save tourist lives and taxpayer settlement dollars, legislators should write a law to prevent snorkel shops from renting to non-swimmers and require ocean safety education of their renters.

Sincerely,

Ron Tubbs

Waimanalo, Oahu