So Would I Have Been Screwed? Could I Have Died? (Boating accident)?

Question

Went out kayaking alone at 3 PM on a 70 degree day, one to two foot waves. Paddled probably 45 minutes to an hour out. Turned around to head in. Paddled probably fifteen minutes in towards shore and the kayak swamped. I hit the water, initially I was like well I can probably swim in. Swam for a while didn't get any closer. Now looking at maps I was probably a mile to a mile and a half from the nearest land maybe more. I finally decided to call 911, popped my cell which was luckily in a waterproof case and dialed for help. Rescue boat picked me up probably twenty minutes later, they launched a helicopter to find me. Water temperature was mid to lower 60's fahrenheit.

I'm guessing I would have been screwed if I had not called 911 and tried to swim the whole way in.

Answer 1

did you have a life vest on?

Answer 2

The Water Goddess was good to you. **** happens.  911 is for emergencies. Wish I hadn't been taught in school that it's only for blood and guts.  Way to save your own life!  Now it's time to learn how to roll that boat of yours!

Answer 3

Short answer - YEP

But you now are much wiser:

1 For open water kayak should have real positive bouyancy - above most makers token efforts (if it didn't already)

2 Ditto all above for Paddler (you). Most vests sold for canoeing are for water with handy land: ie rivers

3 You've obviously learnt a big lesson about human frailty

4 Ditto 3 regarding fragility of any craft Vs the seas

5 You kept your cool, rationalised your predicament and called for help before you were exhausted.

Answer 4

You followed the first rule of boating.....ALWAYS wear a PFD.  You broke the second rule of boating....NEVER boat alone.  You got lucky.  Now learn from it!!

Answer 5

don't feel like a moron maybe if you hadn't called them some horrible thing would have happened

Answer 6

Sounds like you stayed cool and did the right thing.

Nice work.

Answer 7

I don't blame you for feeling like a moron, you were. However, you kept your cool and made a rational choice to stay alive, as opposed to being a body recovery. I don't know what body of water you were in, or what your swimming skills are, but at 60 degrees, and the potential for exhaustion and hypothermia, you did the right thing. An old sea going lesson, don't go past your point of no return, unless you are prepared to not return.

PS. My son is in the Coast Guard, that's what they pay those guys to do, and they love their jobs!

Answer 8

yea you would have and there would be no problem but now you have cheated the devil of a life.