WBL Cold Water Rescue 10/2

[RandyL]

BRRRRR it’s that time of the year again.
I got home from work yesterday and as I was walking into my house I thought I heard some screaming from out on the lake. I stood in my driveway for at least ten minutes looking for where it was coming from. I couldn’t see anything so I figured it may have been a flock of geese or swans heading south. I went into my house but something did not feel right so I grabbed the binocs and scanned the lake. To my surprise there was a dude bobbing and waiving in the water. I took off running to my dock to grab my son’s friends fishing boat. I figured I would call 911 as soon as I got in the boat. The boat was shin deep full of water in 6 inches deep of water and no oars. I just started up the little motor in the mud and proceeded to slowly move towards the guy. At this time a squad car and a fire truck showed up in front of my house so the 911 issue was addressed. I couldn’t even come close to planeing out and trying to bale the water out of the boat and head into the wind was a big issue. As I approached closer to the guy I realized there were two of them and it looked like only one guy was able stay afloat on his own, it looked like the guy waiving was also keeping his buddy afloat. For those of you who know where I live these guys were about ¾ of the way to Manitou Bridge from my house so it was a long boat ride at two miles an hour but they did see I was on my way. I saw the sheriff boat heading there from a different direction at a much higher speed. We both got to the two of them at the same time so I obviously just stayed out of the way and let them do the thing. They both got pulled into the boat looking VERY white/purple. They were dressed in street cloth and I have no idea how long they were out there but it appears everything worked out for them. All I now is they were in a little kayak or canoe and flipped it. I saw it upside down 50 yds upwind of them and their floatation cushion were 200 yds downwind of them.

Someone obviously called 911 before or as I was going out but thinking back I probably should have done it the second I saw them in the binocs, but what if it was a kiter, with his kite down just waiving for his board? It’s very hard for homeowners to know when there is really someone in trouble out there. I actually thought it was a kiteboarder, because the boat was totally submerged and only a tiny part was visible, just like a board. I have never seen anyone not help another kiter or windsurfer in trouble but we may want to get near the person sooner than later this time of year, not only for kiter/windsurfer but for the benefit of lakeshore home owners struggling to make the right call in a possible life or death situation.
Let’s dress for the conditions and watch out for each other out there.
Randy

[Kevinousdigian]

Good job Randy! So did they have lifejackets on? A lot of good those seat cushions did them...

[JRN]

DIDN'T A WBL HOMEOWNER CALL 911 A FEW YEARS AGO? I remember that they thought a skydiver had landed in the water. Does anyone remember who the kiter was?
They sent out Sheriff's boats while an ambulance waited at the launch at Bellaire. I think most of your neighbors have wised up since then. I don't recall the outcome, but I think he rode back in the boat just to placate the rescuers. Of course, no one called when I dropped my 17 and floated all the way to Mahto. Where were they then? Thanx again to the "Desperate Housewives" who gave me a ride back to Bellaire. Who was that who picked me up when I blew up on the point? Oh yea, that was you Lindorff! I bet you were once a Boy Scout. Thanx for being there when we need you!

[RandyL]

They had no life jackets on Kevin... Sorry NormaNN, during thes E or ENE winds I have instructed my kids not to answer the door if a suspicious looking BEST rider crawls out of Mud Bay and is looking for a ride back to Bellaire.

[Death Roll]

What is scary is that Randy brings those binoculars everywhere--on boats, lakes, rivers, concerts, hot tubs and even coffee shops!

He maybe the first to spot "danger," but it may take him a few moments more to get out his video camera!

(tee hee hee)

Got your back!

[Prof Marc]

I think that it that Chris Bargsten who was the stranded "skydiver" out in the middle of WBL.

--Marc