Stevenson Tragedy, 911, mind clearing

davidi99 · Since 26 Jun 2010 10 Posts

I was the 911 caller. It was a horror. Some of this thread made me feel a little worse for having a part in not saving a life. I do not think this person drowned because the wrong people were nearby, but I agree a larger crowd of the serious regulars never would have let it happen especially because it was right at the center of the jump zone, a spot that is rarely not watched.

I missed the chance to help, as did others, for several reasons i think: 1. drowning happens HORRIBLY fast, 2. hypothermia probably kept him from making ANY motion for help, 3. we riders may become a little numb to the needs of locals with no suits or PFD's out on a hot day only 30 ft from shore.

What I saw: busy packing; glanced across the water, saw a raft with a swimmer next to it, looking relaxed, and getting back in his raft; keep packing thinking: crazy swimmer; (apparently at this point he let go and was on his back, a probable sign of trying to tread water); moments later are shouts that a swimmer is down; see raft 100yds away and nothing where the raft was; instantaneous and unbelievable; call; a jacketed rider jumps in to where the swimmer went down; too late; try to calm the 16yr old brother; hours with the authorities; inadvertently there to hear the mom wail as she is given the news.

What will I keep from this: respect the water; understand hypothermia; know when you need a PFD; drowing happens in one breath; if someone looks like they might need help or need it soon, it is so much easier to offer than wish you offered; catastrophic death can be extra hard on the living; second guessing your actions in this case is unhealthy.

The Stevenson crew has helped me out in the past and I love them for that and the vibe kept at the site. It is hard for everyone to be watched and supported all the time; all we can do is try.
Thanks. needed to write.
Dave

blowhard · Since 26 Dec 2005 2027 Posts Windward

It's exactly as it happens
before you know it ,you can't move you limbs
next you are under.
In my case ,my neighbor ,who saw we were in trouble
reached out and pulled me in,I was just under the surface
thanks again Valerie
still gives me the creeps
That was in the 8th grade,swimming downstream to the rapids over a mile
in the McKenzie river,my buddy was also hypothermic and was pulled out also
cold water is no joke
I doubt most could swim in from the outside of the waves on the coast
without becoming hypothermic without some kind of suit

very tragic,
sorry you had to witness such a thing

Nak · Since 19 May 2005 4305 Posts Camas Site Lackey **CGKA Member**

davidi99 · Since 26 Jun 2010 10 Posts

understood and thanks.

windslayer · Since 30 Apr 2007 153 Posts Stoked

Dave...things happen...but you observed which alot o peeps dont....it can happen in an instant, as it did...you didnt know...it was was hot and people swim and hang out there all the time.....Thank you for being so observant...

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

WOW - That recollection made me feel sick - things happen fast.

I used to guard on a lake, and from my fairly limited experience can tell you 1 drowning person can easily turn into 2 (Especially if the first victim can't swim or is in a panic).

Some basic rescue equipment might be nice to have near by popular spots for those with experience to use (ie. fins, rescue float, ring buoy w/ rope) - but I guess that could lead to liability issues etc. Confused

From my experience, it seems that the current sweeping by the point makes it a longer & harder swim to shore.

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

so very sad...

even if you could have gotten there its devastating how little time you have - my friend was under just a few minutes before i was able to get him to shore with an EMT waiting (who just happened to be walking over a bridge on the river we where kayaking and saw us)

we started CPR immediately but were unable to revive him

hard not to replay what you could have done different

just terrible you had to witness

Blokt · Sun Jun 27, 10 11:11 pm

Dave and Nak,

You guys are alright. I had an 18 year old brother die from making a bad decision.
The guy driving was drunk, but he didn't force my brother to hop in. His time had arrived.

Unfortunately, when someone's time comes, no one, absolutely no one, can stop it. If he was saved, his time wouldn't have arrived yet.

The only one to blame for a bad decision, is the bad decider.

You guys are very brave to say that you were there and weren't able to help.

You must remember, from this day on, you are NOT to blame for this mans death. It was just his time to go.

Nuff said.