ALPINE, Wyo. — On May 21, Bonneville County Sheriff’s deputies rescued a man who overturned a kayak on Palisades Reservoir.
According to a press release, deputies found an upside down kayak, life jacket and paddle while patrolling on the water near the McCoy Creek area around 4 p.m. They then located an adult male who had been on the kayak on the shoreline, barefoot and experiencing hypothermia.
The man said this was his first experience on a kayak and he had capsized about 200 feet from shore. After entering the water he decided to swim to shore without his life jacket, paddle or shoes.
Deputies reunited the man with his camp at the McCoy Creek Campground about a mile from where he capsized where he was able to get warm.
Deputies noted the ambient air was approximately 76 degrees while the water was only around 50 degrees.
This close call reminds water recreationalists to always be prepared for an emergency, even when conditions seem calm and easily manageable. The cold waters, especially this time of year, bring in the effects of hypothermia very quickly and diminish the ability to self rescue effectively.
Wearing a life jacket at all times is important, since there might not be sufficient time to put one on at the onset of an emergency. Even a small watercraft requires safety training and skills to avoid a potentially life threatening situation.
For more safety information, training and waterways information go to the Idaho State Parks and Recreation website.
