Re: [Paddlewise] rescuers die

At 03:31 PM 4/9/01 -0700, Kevin Whilden wrote:
>Ralph,
>Here's the link to the Boatertalk thread where this accident is discussed.
>http://www.boatertalk.com/index.php?forumid=BoaterTalkmid=19865
>Apparently, the firefighters were killed retrieving the body of the already
>dead kayaker. 


Last weekend on Cayuga lake a couple of college students borrowed a canoe
and took it out on the lake.  The weather on Sunday was the nicest it has been
all year.  They were 400 feet offshore when they capsized into the 38 degree
water.  They were not dressed for immersion.  There were two PFD's on board
and one of them was wearing one.  The other was a child PFD and didn't fit
so it wasn't worn.   Same old story, right.

Luckily for the two first time canoeist, someone on shore saw them capsize
and immediately went for some oars and, with a neighbor, rowed out into
the lake (apparently the wind was pretty high).  Neither of the swimmers were
in contact with the canoe and it looked like both had swallowed quite a bit
of water.  They managed to drag them into the row boat and get back to 
shore.  Hypothermia had already started to have an effect and the twice
swimmers
were unable to stand after landing.  After a hot shower, and the rescuers gave
them warm clothes and drove them home.  Apparently, there victims had friends
with them (also beginners) in another rented canoe but the wind and waves were
so bad they were unable to reach the capsized canoists.

I hope they learned a lesson.


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