Two
kayakers were rescued from Georgia Strait near Nanaimo yesterday after flipping their double kayak. Luckily for them, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue units were training in the same area and were able to respond quickly. The kayakers were wearing PFDs, but were not dressed for immersion as they were dressed only in street clothes. They were in the water for only 20 minutes but were already showing signs of hypothermia when they were rescued.
According to
Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue's Facebook page (where the rescue picture is from), "The consequences might have been deadly if these Stations had not been training in that area at that time! Response time would have been 30 plus minutes from Ladysmith or Nanaimo. Met by the ambulance at Boat Harbour, these were two lucky fellows."
No word on the conditions at the time, or how the kayakers ended up swimming.
It would be interesting to know if they had winter immersion gear on or if they had any self rescue training or equipment. From the picture the conditions don't look too bad but then again .... things happen fast when the cold effects the body.
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I've updated the post based on newer media reports. They were wearing PFDs but were in street clothes. Also, they were in a double kayak, so I guess they had borrowed/rented a kayak and got into trouble. But as I said, that's just a guess.
DeleteAlso something to think on, for them who borrow or rent them a kayak. Make sure people who shall use the kayak, has right equipment and training for winterpaddling.
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