Local police trained to deal with heart attacks

...before the ambulance arrives. (Archive image)

'The Canary Islander' recently reported:

''In La Gomera, there are many tourists who visit the island with serious health conditions, and island residents could also have health problems, but this island tourist destination has experienced increased incidents of heart attacks or emergency situations when an individual’s heart stops beating for various reasons. The 112-emergency service reacts very quickly by sending ambulances with trained medical staff, but often local police can be at the scene of a health incident more quickly. People who experience heart attacks on holiday are more likely to survive if they receive medical help quickly.

Therefore, the local police in San Sebastian de La Gomera has just received updated training sessions on the use of semi-automatic defibrillators and cardiorespiratory resuscitation methods that should be carried out in emergency situations. Also, cardio respiratory resuscitation equipment is now carried in all patrol cars.

The local police have portable defibrillators that mean that they can move these easily and use them in a wide range of situations. These new defibrillators are in addition to those already installed at three municipal sports centres. In addition, four out of six municipalities in La Gomera have semi-automatic defibrillators in public spaces. So faster responses by local police for emergency health incidents when waiting for ambulances and trained medical experts to arrive.''

One bus stop in Valle Gran Rey cancelled temporarily

Due to the partial collapse of the coast road between La Playa and La Puntilla, the buses serving the Nr.1 line between Valle Gran Rey and San Sebastian de La Gomera won't stop at La Playa opposite Bar Maria because the temporary diversion in place can't accommodate large vehicles. Intending passengers should take the bus from the bus station near the bridge in La Calera (best option) or from near Hotel Gran Rey in La Puntilla.

Damage to the road meanwhile is still being examined to find out who will do what to eventually repair it.

Road partially collapsed due to heavy seas

The road along the beach between La Puntilla and La Playa was badly damaged by heavy seas during yesterday's bad weather. The road is normally protected by an old low protective wall which is curved at the top to throw the waves back and had been previously damaged to a minor degree by large waves a few years ago. During this winter the wall was further weakened and gravel and larger pieces of rock had been thrown up and piled against it  by wave-action. This minor road tops an embankment along the shore and the land opposite the shore lies several feet below the road at the location where it has been damaged. 

The foundations of the wall suffered undercutting and a partial collapse yesterday evening causing subsidence along quite an extensive stretch of road. Local police and the mayor of Valle Gran Rey were on the scene to asses the damage and the area has been fenced off by the authorities. A traffic diversion is in place via an old track below and parallel to the affected stretch of road.

Maintenance of this coast road connecting La Playa and La Puntilla has been neglected over many years due to legal and fiscal problems arising from the unresolved question under who's jurisdiction the area lies. 

Weather conditions should gradually but substantially improve during today allowing further examination of the damage to prepare yet another temporary repair.

Rough seas damaged the road to La Playa in Valle Gran Rey