Re: Rescue at 3rd

From: Will Estes (westes@usc.com-DeleteThis)
Date: Wed Jun 08 1994 - 10:00:39 PDT


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From: Will Estes <westes@usc.com-DeleteThis>
Message-Id: <9406081700.AA00654@usc.com-DeleteThis>
Subject: Re: Rescue at 3rd
To: wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis
Date: Wed, 8 Jun 1994 10:00:39 -0700 (PDT)
In-Reply-To: <9406081115.AA00707@zonker.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis> from "Ken Poulton" at Jun 8, 94 04:21:14 am
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'Ken Poulton says:'
> Luckily I have a cell phone, so I didn't have to drive to find a phone.
> I found, however, that 911 put me on hold for two minutes - it was
> quicker to call information for the Coast Guard rescue number.
> I also recruited someone to go out and try to tow Mark in.

The Coast Guard rescue number is: 415-556-4471. Put this one in your
wallets folks. The above number is for *emergencies only*! Don't call it
for wind reports, for information, or for anything other than an emergency.

> Hypothermia happens quickly. When I left Mark at 6:00, he felt warm
> and turned down my offer of a hood I carry. This was a mistake.
> His wetsuit was shortsleeved and he was very cold by the time he was
> picked up at 7:00. If you get into a breakdown situation, do
> everything possible to conserve your body heat. Also, a good
> safety measure is to wear a wetsuit that will keep you warm if
> you are in the water for a long time, even if that is warmer
> than necessary for simply sailing.

What thickness of wetsuit was this guy wearing (2mm?). I'm constantly amazed
when I go to Third to see guys hauling out to the channel wearing only
swimming trunks or really flimsy water-skiing suits. I mean, it's really
nice that you made your last 446 jibes without falling (we are really proud
of you too), but the way I see it a 4mm full-length suit is minimum fare
for the Bay. You should go out there dressed to survive six+ hours in the
water.

> Visibility is vital. The two other sailors who worked on towing
> Mark in did not succeed in getting him across the channel, but they
> did provide a good visual marker. We never did see Mark from the
> shore, only about 1.5 miles away. The only way to be visible
> if your sail is down is to sit on your board, and that is still
> probably only good for a half mile or so.

I've been thinking about this problem too. Flares and smoke, even if you
could carry them, are pretty much a joke in a high-wind area. It seems
like what a windsurfer would really need is something reflective. One of
those circular rescue signal mirrors that downed fighter pilots use would
be useful. They have small holes in the middle that the user can look
through and use to point the reflector at the target. They are also small
enough to fit in a large fanny pack.

> Don't wait to call the Coast Guard. When I left Mark, we had no
> sense of urgency. He felt warm enough and thought he could still
> paddle in if need be. Given the long time need to get a boat
> there, that was dangerously wrong. The best thing we did was to
> give up on towing and just call the Coast Guard.

One of the bad things about hypothermia is that the situations in which it
occurs usually get your adrenalin going too. The adrenalin compensates for
the hypothermia for a while, and when the adrenalin subsides you get hit
pretty fast.

-- 
Thanks,
Will Estes              Internet: westes@usc.com-DeleteThis
U.S. Computer           Saratoga, CA  95070



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