Robert Silva, Endurance Diver to dive in Belize

On September 13, scuba diver Robert Silva of Illinois will be traveling to Ambergris Caye where he plans to set a new world record for the longest saltwater dive – an entire 36.5 hour dive. Initially, the daring diver planned to break the record for the longest freshwater record (120 hours) in Haigh Quarry in Kankakee, IL. However, liability and insurance issues forced Silva to look for other diving expeditions that would help him achieve his goal.

He received an offer to challenge the saltwater record from Ramon’s Village in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. Having already received his PADI Divemaster certification in Belize in 2005, Silva knows he will be in familiar waters.

Though the dive will now be shorter than the 120 hours he had planned, he also has to contend with the hazards of an unpredictable ocean dive. Silva has been a team captain for the American Cancer Society’s “Relay For Life”, and is always looking for new ways to raise money for the charity. This year, he is combining his love of diving and the chance to raise money for a good cause. Ramon’s Resort will be providing most of the staff for the dive, but he will also be arriving with 5 of his team members.

Following are a few questions and answers as posted by www.matadorsports.com:

Q. What are the official rules for attempting to break this record?

The rules, as they have been explained to me, are that I must not surface at any point during the attempt. It must all be done on standard scuba gear and tank changes must be done underwater. [I must achieve] a depth of 20 feet for at least 20 minutes; outside of that I can be at any depth.

Q. 36.5 hours is a long time to be underwater. How will you eat and sleep?

My diet will consist of mainly liquid meals. The plan is to use a Camelbak-type system, like hikers use. To sleep , the plan is to clip off to a line and just try and relax enough to sleep for a bit. Support divers will always be in the water while I’m trying to sleep to watch my air supply, so I don’t run out.

(Silva plans to spend the rest of the time listening to music, playing some games underwater, talking to the team via two-way communication units, and of course, watching the wildlife).

Q. What kind of physical training are you doing to prepare for your attempt?

The biggest training item is time in the pool, just experiencing long duration and gear changes underwater. I am eating healthier than I have in the past. More than athleticism I believe it is going to take the proper mindset to get through the dive. I’m not going into this thinking it will be a cakewalk to sit underwater for so long. I know it will get harder on my body and mind the longer I stay under.

Q. What are the main challenges that you expect to face?

The main concern I have will be the weather. The weather can make or break this event.

I’ve had people ask about sharks, and things like that, [but] one thing I’ve realized is that sharks are not mindless killers. I’ve seen sharks while diving Belize in the past and they were never a problem. I expect to see mostly nurse sharks, and they tend to be very docile.

Q. To what degree does your dive’s success or failure depend on luck?

I think luck only applies to the weather; September is a high point of Hurricane season. I’ve been to this same dive spot in September in the past with perfect weather, but again, it’s out of my control. Being as prepared as possible will give me the best chance of success.

Q. What kind of potential emergencies or problems are your preparing for?

The biggest issue will be possible gear problems. Saltwater can be hard on the gear; having to do tank changes underwater could introduce saltwater [into] my regulator.

I plan to have secondary gear on the boat that can be sent down to me if needed, and also a second setup put together and ready for use on a line beneath the surface. I have scuba medical insurance, which includes airlifting me off the island if it becomes needed.

Q. If you succeed in your attempt, you will have done something that no diver has ever done before. Where do you see yourself going from there?

I guess I could see myself making another attempt at the same record. I’ve also been looking into other scuba-related records for future attempts.

Costa Maya Fesitval presents Miss Belize & Mexico

Miss Belize

She is no other than Belize’s representative for the La Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant, Miss Felicita Arzu. The 24-year-old brunette, “Leesha” as she is affectionately known, is a Communication Studies lecturer at Muffles Junior College in Orange Walk Town. As a determined promoter of education, Leesha followed in the footsteps of her mother and two sisters who have been committed and dedicated educators. Education is key and the role of an educator is imperative to any society. During her free time, Leesha enjoys reading, dancing, singing, traveling, socializing and listening to a wide range of musical genres. The five foot eight inch beauty has graced the stage as Belize’s beauty ambassador for the Miss World pageant in December 2007 which was held in Sanya, China. Holder of the title Miss Orange Walk 2004-2005, Leesha also has a passion for music and was also crowned Love FM’s Countrywide Karaoke Champion in 2004 and Fiesta FM’s Karaoke Champion that same year.

Miss Mexico

Marliese Edelmann Ayala proudly represents Miss Mexico for this year’s Reina de la Costa Maya Pageant. Having participated in Nuestra Belleza Mexico 2008, Marliese believes she is well equipped and prepared to vie for the coveted crown. The five foot seven brunette enjoys reading and dancing. Marliese proudly took part in a promotional video for her native hometown of Chiapas entitled “Yo soy Chiapas” and included participation of Reyli Barba and Enrique Virrueta. Branching out into acting, Marliese is preparing for her participation in Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico City).

The Costa Maya Committee continues with more announcements as the festival nears. An office has been secured, thanks to Atlantic Bank, and it is located Black Coral Street at the old Nancy’s building (phone – 226 4153). Booths are being sold for the festival days and interested parties are being asked to contact committee member Jan Brown at 226-2059.

5 confirmed cases of Influenza A H1N1 in Belize

Press Release - Government Press Office - Ministry of Health - July 7th, 2009 - The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the public of five (5) confirmed cases of Influenza A H1N1 in the country of Belize.

These results were received today through our reference laboratory CAREC.
All the five positive cases came from the Corozal district and linked to the Casinos in the Corozal Free Zone. These individuals have been treated and are recovering at home.

This highlights the increased surveillance which the Ministry had put in place at the initial response to Influence A H1N1.

The Ministry is awaiting the results of fifteen other suspected cases majority of which presented mild flu-like symptoms.

The Ministry continues its heighten surveillance and awareness campaign to contain this situation.

The Ministry of Health encourages the public to continue washing hands with soap and water, covering your coughs, seek medical attention if you present any flu-like symptoms and stay at home until your symptoms are resolved.

The Ministry would also like to inform the public that there is no need at this time to limit any mass gatherings.

KIA Field trip to Bacalar Chico

Valentine Rosado, CORAL’s field representative in Belize, continues on his efforts to bring together stakeholder groups from across the country to collaborate on local conservation initiatives that support standards implementation, reduce reef threats, and create meaningful opportunities for local communities to save their coral reefs by supporting marine protected areas.

One huge effort is education and through this the Kids in Action (KIA) program was implemented. Through the program, students have the opportunity to visit marine reserves and parks to find out the importance of the region and how to help in the conservation efforts.
This part Saturday, KIA was back in action and this time a trip to Bacalar Chico was in order.

At Chac Balam, students were taught about the importance of mangroves, the various mangrove species found within Belize, and just how the work they way they do.

At Rocky Point, students found the massive rock formations very interesting. They took time to explore and wade in the shallow waters.

Traveling through the lagoons, Rosado explained the importance of these valuable water systems.

Maya pottery was also seen and Rosado described the Mayas route between Mexico and Belize at the time trade was at its peak.

The KIA trip was made possible through the kind assistance of Ramon’s Village and captain Heriberto Palma. For further information on KIA contact Valentine Rosado at 602-2100.

PRI wins Federal election in Mexico

Yesterday millions of Mexicans went to the polls in all 32 states to choose the composition of the new House of Representatives. At the same time, elections took place in six states to choose a new state governor. With over 95% of the vote counted, the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) headed by Party Leader Beatriz Paredes Rangel swept the polls winning the majority of seats in the House of Representatives and also winning five of six state governor seats that were up for grabs in Sunday’s election. The results took President Felipe Calderon’s Partido Acción National (PAN) by surprise after political pundits in Mexico had projected a clear win for the PAN prior to Sunday’s election. The PRI won governorship in the states of Campeche, Colima, Querétaro, Nuevo León and San Luis Potosí. The PAN narrowly won Sonora.

The Instituto Federal de Elección (IFE) stated that there was a national voters turnout of 44.70% translating to 33, 951, 277 voters. In an exclusive interview with our colleagues at La Universal Newspaper the PRI Leader Rangel is quoted as saying that, “the PRI is stronger than before and we are well ahead, ready for the big win in the next presidential election in 2012.”