Just back from the beach where a good old friend just passed away.
Was on 9m2, TT, wind about 15-20 Tram.
67 years old in good health.
Got separated from board, friend pass to ask to get board, he said no but did not feel well, wanted to body drag back to beach.
This friend searched zodiak quickly, other friend passed less than 5 min later when became aware, head was down in water and when tried to revive, nothing.
Boat got there quick, got to beach, C P R started, de fib machine attached but was just to late.
The two friends mentioned are quite close as well, hope they will be able to process and be ok.
So sad as was funny good living guy!
Be safe out there, if you see someone in trouble go see whats up ASAP!
Not sure cause, we think either drown or heart attack, will update if more info becomes available.
So strange how numb I feel now...
R I P my funny friend, we will miss you!
R H
Sad day South France
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FLandOBX
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Toby
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Re: Sad day South France
sad for sure..my condolences to friends and family.
Sounds like a heart attack. But pls keep us posted what exactly happened.
RIP
Sounds like a heart attack. But pls keep us posted what exactly happened.
RIP
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jonysan
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Re: Sad day South France
My condolences to his family and friends, the kind people who tried so hard to help him.
He died doing what he loved, you can't get better than that.
He died doing what he loved, you can't get better than that.
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matth
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sarc
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Re: Sad day South France
I want to say something constructive about this. It's good to keep an eye out for each other in the water. Once I pulled back to shore a newbie kiter who was too far out to swim and very tired. He did not think of swimming to his kite and lay on it if he was exhausted (he was not a physically fit person).
So I bodydrag him to shore, I leave him in waist-deep water, ask him if he is OK then go to pick his board and give it back to him.
When I got back with his board several minutes later he was still in waist-deep water. He did not have the strength to walk 20 meters to shore.
From that I learned that if anyone is in any sort of distress at all, don't leave them until they are on dry land among other people/beachgoers. In the water it takes only a few minutes from thing to go from bad to horrible. with kites, board, lines etc. it's worse.
It's very possible that this gentleman may not have survived regardless... but just thinking about the living, and the next person who may need help... stay with them until they are on dry land.
So I bodydrag him to shore, I leave him in waist-deep water, ask him if he is OK then go to pick his board and give it back to him.
When I got back with his board several minutes later he was still in waist-deep water. He did not have the strength to walk 20 meters to shore.
From that I learned that if anyone is in any sort of distress at all, don't leave them until they are on dry land among other people/beachgoers. In the water it takes only a few minutes from thing to go from bad to horrible. with kites, board, lines etc. it's worse.
It's very possible that this gentleman may not have survived regardless... but just thinking about the living, and the next person who may need help... stay with them until they are on dry land.
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- BernieTomic1 (Mon Dec 09, 2019 5:32 pm)
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Arnone
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jakemoore
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Re: Sad day South France
Yes I agree. And maybe true for any hazardous environment and also fair to realize someone in distress may not realize they need help.
I had the experience for my first time over 10000 feet and I had serious altitude sickness. Living at sea level I was falling down and delirious as soon as I got off the lift. Ski Patrol came to check on me. I thought I could make it to the base and refused help. No I could not ski over 100 yards on the easy trails without falling over due to lack of oxygen. Ultimately I rode down in the sled and the first Ski Patrol who left me got chewed out by his boss.
I wouldn't force a rescue but staying close to somebody in distress is a good call if it is possible based on conditions. Sometimes is too late and its important to realize that 1/3 of heart attack victims do not make it to the hospital in spite of best treatment available so friends riding with him should have no blame for this sad situation.