Re: [Paddlewise] Cape Cod kayak incident update - worst news

From: Gary J. MacDonald <garyj_at_rogers.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Oct 2003 09:10:55 -0400
Rick.Sylvia_at_ferguson.com wrote:
> Incidentally, the girl I referred to was back to normal within a couple
> of weeks, but her mother continues to suffer from it today, mentally.
> She's never been quite the same, and I don't anticipate that she will
> "be back" anytime soon.  As always, there are more victims than just
> those who were actually in the accident.

Even being someone who is rescued can suffer for quite a while.  Someone 
inmy extended family (and I see several times a year) survived a night 
on Lake Huron a few years ago.  He lost his best friend that night.  The 
various strains of it were quite overtly with him for years of counselling.

(Late teens, partying at cottage.  Late August, so water as warm as it 
gets.  Decide at 2 am to take old Grumman canoe out for a paddle.  No 
PFDs, but breath they could use for flares if they had a way to light 
it.  Tip over about a mile (?? I suspect much less) off shore.  Friend 
can't swim, although my relative could and was a very fit athlete.  He 
was reluctant to leave his friend alone, so they clung to the canoe 
together.  The friend didn't last until a beach-walker heard the shouts 
a little after dawn.)

I heard this second-hand, as it were, being in the room with the 
receiving side of the phone.  Even just the dozen words of "he what..." 
and "without..." were enough for any experienced paddler to know the 
story.

This is why we all talk ourselves silly about safety in all situations. 
  I do more river paddling, and I tell newbies thatthe river doesn't 
care, it just is.  The sea is the same.

GaryJ
"Let's be careful out there."

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Received on Wed Oct 15 2003 - 06:06:38 PDT

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