From the sparkling waters of Mexico’s Yucab Reef comes a story of bravery, community, and deep-sea love.
On July 25th, Manolo Acuña Zepeda, a beloved and experienced divemaster in Cozumel, was leading a group over the reef when he spotted danger: a speedboat, operating illegally, barreling straight toward them. In a split second, he pushed his divers out of harm’s way, but in doing so, he was struck by the boat’s propellers.
The beautiful Yucab Reef is usually a serene second dive for intermediate divers, where the trick is to remain calm and drift with the strong current. But that day, the peaceful underwater scene turned into a fight for safety.
The accident left Zepeda with severe injuries, including a broken leg from the propeller strike. He lost a significant amount of blood and, despite multiple transfusions, his hemoglobin levels stayed dangerously low ahead of a second surgery. That’s when the diving community stepped up, not just with donations, but with literal blood. “Blood donations from the dive community covered the deficit,” fellow diver John Flynn of Sand Dollar Sports shared.
Flynn also organized a GoFundMe for his friend, which has now raised almost $50,000, 92% of the total needed, to cover all medical and rehabilitation costs. The support was so overwhelming that Zepeda’s family even rented a new house to better accommodate his wheelchair while he heals.
In late August, Zepeda underwent his first surgery to stabilize a compound fracture in his right tibia, followed by another to repair his broken fibula. On August 8th, he was discharged from Cozumel International Hospital with bones “capable of healing on their own,” thanks in part to hyperbaric treatments to speed recovery.
“Manolo will begin physical therapy and respiratory therapy shortly after discharge,” Flynn wrote in an August 7th update. “An at-home nurse will visit regularly to assist with his care.”
Almost $50,000 later, the community’s love ensures that this local hero will return to the ocean he adores. With every wave and every bubble, he’s one step closer to enjoying his favorite activity once again.
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