kayak safety

[hookedonbass]

This happened last week but it is a serious reminder to be extremely careful out there while in a kayak. Make sure you have all your safety equipment and don't take the elements for granted.

KEYPORT — Michael Miranda just happened to be in the right place at the right time.


That's a good thing for John Clancy, who was saved Thursday afternoon by good Samaritan Miranda, who plucked Clancy out of the three-to-four foot wave swells and 51 degree waters after Clancy had flipped over in his kayak.

Clancy, a British citizen who resides in New York City, was eventually pulled out of the water around 1:50 p.m.
Miranda, 33, who lives in Edison and is a police officer in Hoboken, just happened to have the day off and was preparing to go fishing for stripers with his father Ron Miranda when he heard the Coast Guard distress signal.
Miranda keeps his 19-foot fishing boat in Lentze Marina in Keansburg.

It was approximately 1:25 p.m. when the Coast Guard issued an urgent marine broadcast message to be on the watch for a man in distress.
Miranda said he responded immediately.
"I figured that we better start heading out of my inlet, which is next to Keansburg Pier," Miranda said. "I felt that we were closer than the Coast Guard was, so we thumbed it right over to him, and we got him."
Miranda then hauled Clancy in and headed for the Keyport dock.
Clancy, who had been kayaking with an unidentified friend who had kept afloat, was transported by the Keyport First Aid squad to Bayshore Community Hospital in Holmdel where he was treated for hypothermia and disorientation.

"We got there just in the nick of time," Miranda said. "His face was all purple, and he was definitely going into hypothermia."
A Coast Guard patrol boat based at Sandy Hook Station provided Miranda an escort into Keyport.
A hospital spokeswoman said Clancy was treated for hypothermia around 2:30 p.m. and then later released.
Based on his calculations, Miranda said Clancy had been in the water for at least 25 minutes before he pulled him out.
"When we got him aboard, we made sure that he was OK," Miranda recalled. "We took our jackets and our shirts off and covered him to keep him as warm as possible."
On the ride in, Ron Miranda kept Clancy awake and talking to prevent him from going into shock, Miranda said.
Miranda said Thursday's weather wasn't exactly perfect conditions.
"We had a hard time coming back," he said. "I was thinking, "Oh man, I hope we're not calling the Coast Guard next.' "

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...=2009905010359

[crosseyedbass]

You got that right. I had a buddy who tipped his yak. He lost almost all of his gear. He is lucky he did not lose his life.

[skinner]

Don't forget to leave a plan as to where you are going and don't forget to check in.

[DarkSkies]

Here is something interesting designed by a fellow kayaker called Waterbug...

He recently helped out at the Heroes on the water September Kayak Event at Sandy Hook, and after that they asked him for some of his "safety ladders".
Nice work, waterbug!

[robmedina]

A good idea for any yakker that hasn't done so yet and should while the water is still warm enough. You should go out in your yak and purposely flip it over (make sure someone is with you to assist if need be) and see if you can flip it back over and if you can get back on it without assistance. The time to " practice" isn't a real life situation.
Here is a quote I stand by when it comes to kayak fishing " dress to swim and rig to flip" because sooner or later it is going to happen- better to be prepared.
One final thought- a person can get hypothermia in the middle of summer in 70 degree water- You loose your body heat 25% faster in water than in the air- so reducing your time IN the water will greatly reduce your risk.
Always wear your PFD.
Be careful out there as we head into the fall months.

[storminsteve]

One final thought- a person can get hypothermia in the middle of summer in 70 degree water- You loose your body heat 25% faster in water than in the air- so reducing your time IN the water will greatly reduce your risk.
Always wear your PFD.
Be careful out there as we head into the fall months.

I did not know that. Thought the water had to be in the 50s to pose any real risks to you yakkers. Thanks for posting that. Be careful out there guys!