When You Hear the Siren, Pull Over for Enrique Shaw!

Story by Vicente Guzmán. Translation by Word for Word providing translations and language classes to this community (6786-0854). ........................................  Enrique Shaw was a lifeguard at the Coronado Beach Club in 2005 when he decided to meet a glaring need in this area… lack of good ambulance services! His experience as an EMT combined with the nursing experience of his wife, Rosa Martinez, qualified them to create this much-needed service.     Shaw and his team provide service 24/7 from San Carlos to Bejuco. They transport patients to the hospital and administer emergency treatment.  They are available to cover public and private events and to respond to calls.  “In the ambulance we have the necessary equipment, including oxygen, to keep a patient stable while in transit to the nearest hospital. We don’t have a defibrillator, but in case of a heart attack, we perform CPR with special mask to avoid direct contact with the patient’s mouth."  

“Rates vary depending on the labor and supplies required and the distance to be traveled,” noted Shaw, “but we are quite affordable compared to other service providers.”  He also told us that many patients have private insurance that covers 100% of his fees.  When asked if pre-registration is required, he responded, “No, you do not need to be registered.  Our primary concern is the patient’s health and, therefore, insurance information can be collected after the emergency.”

When asked about the language barrier with foreigners, he explained that he has always been able to understand and be understood!  However, he did say that it is important for the caller to be able to describe the symptoms so that they can determine whether they should take a doctor along.  It is also important for the caller to be able to give location information.

He plans to expand his service in the future to meet the needs of the growing population in the area.
You can call the San Carlos Ambulance Service at 6605-1300.