Posted on 02/15/2024 10:33:44 PM PST by nickcarraway
The coroner overseeing an inquest into the death of a man at a retreat involving kambo frog poison ceremonies says she hopes the message "getting through" is the importance of calling triple-0.
The inquest in Byron Bay is examining the death of Jarrad Antonovich at the Dreaming Arts Festival held at Collins Creek near Kyogle in October 2021.
Mr Antonovich used kambo and the psychedelic substance ayahuasca while at the retreat, the court has heard, although the cause of death was a perforated oesophagus.
The inquest is examining whether the excessive vomiting often associated with ayahuasca and kambo ceremonies caused the fatal tear.
The court heard Mr Antonovich participated in a kambo ceremony on October 16, 2021, receiving a number of "points" of the poison at around 10am.
A "guardian" involved in the ceremony gave evidence that she was concerned for his wellbeing during the day as he had not "purged" and was experiencing pain in his back.
Dominique Vollaers said she suggested taking Mr Antonovich to hospital but an elder had said: "No, no hospital."
By around 5pm Mr Antonovich needed support to stand and he died that evening on a mattress at the back of the venue while an ayahuasca ceremony was being held.
What is kambo and why do people pay for it? Two recent coronial inquests have thrust kambo into the spotlight in Australia. So why do people choose to burn their skin and apply the frog poison?
'Paramedics are not there to prosecute people'
Retreat assistant Pedro Cruz-Rodriguez told the inquest that he helped give CPR to Mr Antonovich until paramedics arrived.
Counsel-assisting Peggy Dwyer questioned him about whether the kambo and ayahuasca communities had learned anything from the tragedy.
Mr Cruz-Rodriguez said Mr Antonovich's death had made news within these communities around the world.
"There are discussions in the community about how to make those medicines safer," he said.
State Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan said she hoped the inquest would highlight the importance of seeking professional medical assistance.
"Paramedics are not there to prosecute people, they are there to save lives," she said.
"It's an extreme medical emergency and taking him to hospital would have saved his life."
'Little to no risk'
Elissa McAuliffe, a director of Arcoora Arts and Ecology Training Ground where the event was held, told the court that responsibility for the wellbeing of participants sat with retreat organiser Soulore Solaris.
She said Arcoora at the time did not require to see evidence that people hiring the venue had first-aid training.
Ms McAuliffe said she thought Mr Solaris believed at the time there was "little to no risk" associated with kambo and ayahuasca.
"I think when people engage with things that are not regulated … and there are unknowns around it, then it seems to me there should be higher safety measures put in place," she said.
The inquest will continue on Tuesday with evidence from Cameron Kite, who was running the kambo ceremony on the day Mr Antonovich died.
Play with fire…..
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