Real Life Person Overboard Lessons

[@langstonholland9272]

Very few people in the world would retell the stories you did in this video. You have no idea how helpful this was for me - I thought I was prepared, I was not. You may have saved more lives than you know. Thank you.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words - glad it was helpful!

[@donnaschommer894]

Watching and listening to you talk about the loss of your dad I could feel how traumatizing this was for you at the time. I was sad to hear of his passing when you told me. He was a good man and had a big influence on me growing up. It’s awesome you have been able to take this experience and share with others in hopes to learn and save lives in future. Your dad would be proud of you Garry and you did all you could. Hugs

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks so much! We're lucky to have had my dad, even though he could be a bugger at times LOL! That said, if only one person learns something from this and it saves a life I'd be thrilled!

[@monamie2772]

Too many people leave the party early, thanks for sharing the experience and thanks for the insight. Cheers! to your dad for doing a good job.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words - I miss dad lots!!!

[@39lp]

So sorry for your loss. Your father was obviously much loved and respected and you told his story with great dignity. Thank you for taking the time and trouble to tell us these stories. They might well help some viewer someday.

[@SailingTipsCa]

I’m glad you enjoyed the video. It was emotional but also rewarding to make and maybe it will save a life one day!

[@ginalouise6606]

So sorry for your loss. Thanks for sharing your valuable insights.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words! Hopefully others can find it useful!!!

[@kentmeredith2945]

There are so many valuable, life-saving lessons in this video. I will be saving it as a rare KZbin video that is worth re-watching and having my crew and guests watch. One can never be too safe or too prepared for such an emergency. Sadly, the best way to learn such lessons is through experience. I’m very sorry about your father. Thank you for having to courage to help others by sharing your tragic experience.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks so much for your kind words! My hope with this video was to inspire other people to be safe, and also keep my dad’s memory alive in the process, and you’ve helped with both!

[@bradkennedy2420]

Your story had an impact and I don't say that lightly. Your dad passed EXACTLY as all fathers would chose to go: passing suddenly with no fear or suffering, doing exactly what they love with their boy (or girl). I can only hope to be that lucky. That wont make it any easier on you or your family but know that, in terms of leaving this life, he hit at least a 9 out of 10. I've just received my ASA101 and will shortly proceed to 103 and 104. So I'm going to study your channel bcs of this great content! Great stuff.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words! Yes if only we could all go like my dad did - quickly and doing something we enjoy with loved ones! And good luck with your studies!

[@karlandersson2651]

Thank you for sharing and for the great advice.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Glad you liked it!

[@toddmalone4384]

I really appreciate your video, and personal stories - my condolences for your dad passing. Just last month I had bought an SOS Dan Buoy, as well as an SOS Recovery Ladder, based on other recommendations. But now I will also be carrying an emergency blanket, etc. Now more than every the real key is to avoid anyone going into the water in the first place! Thank you.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words! And I’m happy to hear that you’re fitting out your boat with a good suite of safety gear!

[@denise2169]

How heart-breaking! Thank you for this video! I belong to a big sailing club, and although we practise MOB, it’s taken rather lightly. This reminds me how much risk we take being on the water. My thoughts are with you and your family!

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words! Yes MOB is not to be taken lightly, and at the same time reality never really matches the drills, but they are still useful to help you develop awareness and options for rescue!

[@williambunting803]

Thanks so much for those real life accounts. They require much reflection, mental preparation, and equipment review.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - glad you liked it!

[@p.douglas]

So sorry for your loss. This is truly sad. Thanks for sharing. May he Rest in Peace ✝️

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@toddtavares7386]

Gary, I am so very sorry about your Dad. But your video has shown so many valuable bits of information. I have offshore PFDs with built in harnesses but don't have crotch straps. That is something I think I'll need to add. Blankets, emergency space blankets, and a life sling will be included in my kit and equipment. I also never heard, nor thought about the dangers on being crushed with a stern rescue in rough seas. My ladder is on the transom. This is a very insightful video and I am grateful you made and shared your experiences. Thank you.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks so much for your kind words - glad you found the video useful!!!

[@mmocny]

This... Was a hard video to watch. I'm sorry for your loss, but thankful for you sharing lessons hard learned. Thank you.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words!!!

[@connyrikardsson9559]

A important eye opener. Newer experience "man over board" and therefore we become more lay back with safety in open sea. Our attitude is a BIG mistake and ends here and now. Better be safe ten sorry. Thank you for open my eyes and charing such dramatic experience with the loss of your father. Love your vids they are straight forward and no fuzz.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks! Yes it's easy to become complacent, especially if the water is warmer and/or people are good swimmers. But your muscles stop working after about 10 minutes in cold water, and you'll have another 45 minutes of consciousness to contemplate without being able to move and hopefully be rescued in that time because you're wearing a PFD that keeps your head above water!

[@leomcnamara8711]

Videos like this save lives...You are a champion for taking the time to put this together!

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - I was certainly hoping somebody would find it helpful!!!

[@jasonfollett2580]

First Sorry for your loss. Second we are new to sailing and we were spending the weekend on our boat. Our 15 year old son was coming back to the boat at 9 pm when he encountered a man who had stepped off the dock but couldn’t pull himself back on. My son and this man’s wife were not able to pull him up. Eventually my son came and got us. My wife and I were finally able to lift this man onto the dock and it was not easy. He was very appreciative and we were just glad that he was Ok. Thanks for your lessons it very easy to forget just how dangerous the dock can be. I think I will be investing in a few more pieces of safety equipment for the boat.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Yikes! That sounds scary and glad you were able to help him! I'm also glad to see more marina employees wearing PFDs on the docks.

[@onthebeaches]

Great video and so sorry for the loss of your dad...):

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks! Hopefully others can benefit from the stories.

[@timorieseler276]

I totally agree. The most important thing about going overboard is: don't!

[@SailingTipsCa]

Exactly! Even if the person can swim and doesn’t succumb to hypothermia there’s a reasonable chance you won’t be able to get them back on board in any kind of sea state!

[@timorieseler276]

@@SailingTipsCa I remember a german sailing yacht magazine testing different methods in the baltic sea at 4 or 5 bft. Even though it was a test and they were well prepared, they ended up towing their mate back into the harbor. He was hypothermic, I don't remember if it was due to a failing life suit or if that suit was just not the right one for this conditions. But they were pretty baffled and concluded to better tie yourself to the boat no matter what.

[@passthetunaporfavor]

I knew man overboard was a difficult situation particularly with sailboats before seeing this, but you shed new light on just how chaotic it actually is.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Especially when you’re actually quite likely to be rescuing somebody who you’ve never met nor done drills with!!!

[@SailingTeamTallyHo]

Going or losing someone overboard is my worst fear…and what I always guard against in terms of risk habituation, as a skipper. Dinghy or big boat…doesn’t matter esp in cold water

[@SailingTipsCa]

Yes I think losing somebody overboard the biggest material risk to sailing in cold water!

[@windonwater3895]

Thanks so much for your fantastic videos and advice. So sorry to hear about you losing your dad - especially under those circumstances.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks so much for your kind words - glad you enjoy the videos!

[@nancycohen4148]

I fell overboard on my my 40 foot sailboat while we were anchoring. I was at the helm and my husband was at the anchor. We had forgotten to pull in the tow line for our inflatable. I put the boat in neutral and bent down over the transom to pick up the line, tripped and fell into the water. I had a mustang auto inflatable on which inflated when I hit the water. I also had on a baseball cap and sunglasses. The boat still had some way on so was moving backwards, and went over me. The life jacket did not have crotch straps and when inflated rose up around and over my head, suffocating me. I was now under the boat, could not see where I was and felt the prop and rudder. I could not see. I quickly removed the life jacket, glasses and hat,figured out where I was and swam out from under the boat. When I was still in the water I could not reach the swim ladder to climb back on. Exhausted and shocked I tried yelling at my husband who could not hear me so I just held on. After what felt like an eternity her came back to the cockpit and found me holding the tow line. He did not realize, through of of this that I had fallen overboard. Lessons learned are the auto inflate life jackets and not safe without a crotch strap and that they do not fit women properly. We also add a line to the swim ladder to pull it down so you can get back on the boat. We always wear our life jackets when we are on deck including the cockpit when we are underway. It was a very scary experience to be caught under the boat and have the inflatable life jacket over my head.

[@SailingTipsCa]

That sounds like an absolutely terrifying experience!!! I agree that PFDs without crotch straps are essentially useless!!!

[@jlow2159]

You did an awesome job clearing the prop

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks! Really glad I had the wetsuit and snorkeling gear on board!

[@bybeka1]

Gary, You're a great person and I hope to meet you ever. I feel you like a friend, your sailing skills are good, but your personality is even better. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Love for your dad.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks so much for the kind words! I’m thankful I got to be with my dad in his final moments. If you’re ever on the West Coast of Canada look me up!

[@bybeka1]

@@SailingTipsCa Thanks, sure I would do it. Same for you if ever come to Galicia or Spain. I also thought about the fact that indeed, inside the drama of the situation, you shared the last moments with him and you struggled to do your best, even when finally you could learnt that nothings was to be done anymore. Life is like this, for the good and the bad. 🥰

[@josephpalermo3385]

Thank you for sharing, it was very informative. Sorry to hear about your dad.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - glad you found it useful!!!

[@andrewvanada52]

Thanks for sharing this tough & personal story. I know it had to be hard! Awesome to hear about other rescues & how they survived but the whole process wasn't like you planned it. Again, thanks for explaining all of that so the rest of us can learn. My condolences on the passing of your father.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - so far we've never had anybody from our boat go overboard (except in drills)!!! From what I've heard from other rescuers it's more likely that you'll pick up somebody who has fallen of the boat in front of you, rather than your own boat, so be flexible in your approach because they probably weren't in your drills!

[@theromihs]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, info like this is very useful for raising awareness to the dangers of open water. Really sorry to hear of your traumatizing ordeal with your dad. I can only image how frustrating it must have been for you.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Glad you found it helpful! Yes it was very frustrating not being able to get him out of the water by myself!

[@playlist9y]

Thank you for sharing this experience. It likely will save a life in the future. Sorry for the loss of your father.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks! It was a bit shocking for all of us left behind. At the same time I'm thankful that he went relatively quickly while doing something he loved, without having to endure any kind of lengthy disability at the end of his life. I'm also strangely thankful to have been there with him at the time. Hopefully as you said sharing my experience may save another in the future.

[@garthharrington9683]

Thank you Garry.

[@MrPatTormey]

Thank You for sharing. It is an important lesson.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for watching - glad others can benefit!

[@aeastman59]

Gary Im so sorry about your Dad what a shock and very traumatic... thank you so much for sharing these experiences with us though, because we all can learn from them... who in the world would think theres much risk while working on the dock?! but this tells us we need to be ready for the unexpected all the time... you reacted so well to what was happening, what a frightening thing!! thank you again! Im viewing things differently from watching this.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words! Yes it was definitely traumatic and hopefully others can learn!

[@WorkerBee2011]

Thank you for taking the time to educate us, may your father Rest In Peace.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words and for watching!!!

[@VK1HF]

Great video man. Sorry to hear about that situation with your Dad , he would have been proud of your good work on the tips etc

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - I appreciate that!!!

[@akcarlos]

I really appreciate you sharing these lessons, It must have been very difficult to relate that experience.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - hopefully others can benefit!

[@Chris.from.1950]

Thank you for sharing your experiences, and what you have learned from them, so honestly. In my early thirties I capsized a small boat, in cold inland waters just outside Atlanta, Georgia, on a lovely, sunny, very breezy late winter day. I learned a lot, that day. First of all, I learned that my survival had been a matter of luck, and not intelligence, planning, or any other personal ability. Since then, I try not to take my safety, or that of persons in my care, for granted. === Also, I'm touched by the story of your father's death, as I had a close friend who suffered an aortic dissection, and was, by "heroic" medical measures, kept from dying on that day. He had been a charming, loving man, and a brilliant mathematician. He suffered major brain damage during the period that his brain was oxygen deprived, and, grieved, daily, for the life that he had lost, though he was still alive. I am sorry for your loss, but want to offer you one more of the things that these experiences have taught me, which is that there are much more terrible things possible in this life than death. All the best.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks so much for sharing your story about your capsize, and also your friend. I think we’ve all survived a few things on luck alone, and it’s always good to tilt the odds in our favour so it’s not just luck, but preparation and seamanship. And although it was shocking at the time, I’m also thankful that my dad passed quickly, as he never found himself in any kind of debilitated state with reduced mental or physical functions. In some ways it would be nice if we could all be so “lucky” as him and pass quickly while doing something we love with our close family nearby.

[@RobertdeVries-trimaran-sailing]

Thanks for this video. Sorry to hear about dad. Very sorry.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks Robert - I appreciate that!!!

[@michaelpiotrowicz6100]

Hard stuff, thanks for sharing. Only ever had one serious man overboard situation and, while it ended well for everything but the spinnaker, I will never forget it.

[@SailingTipsCa]

They are definitely unforgettable situations! Hopefully by sharing others can learn!

[@Thfeyhvfdetyhbvcd]

Thank you so much for sharing such valuable personal experiences. Your experience with your father is why I often stress the wearing of a PFD whenever you are on the water, even at the dock; if you end up in the water, it’s because something bad happened to you. People can drown in seconds. Once they are under cold water, there is an involuntary GASP RESPONSE and they take in a sudden deep breath of water! Now, heavier, they sink.

[@SailingTipsCa]

The gasp response is very dangerous especially in colder water! They call it the 1-10-1 rule around here: one minute to control your breathing, 10 minutes of meaningful movement (before you can’t move anymore from the cold), one hour of consciousness. So yes the PFD is very important, especially for that 50 minutes when you’re still conscious and can’t move properly!

[@Thfeyhvfdetyhbvcd]

@@SailingTipsCa Yup; cold water is deadly. In USCGA Safe Boating Classes, we used to teach the 50/50/50 rule: you have a 50/50 chance of surviving 50 minutes in 50 degree water. So, PFDs are important in warmer water, but a proper harness and tether can keep you out of the water to begin with.

[@SailingTipsCa]

@@Thfeyhvfdetyhbvcd And if there’s any meaningful sea state finding the person and getting them back on board can be nearly impossible, so you’re right, best to not fall overboard at all!

[@kitestance]

Long time wstermsn here, and wife and I decided to get a sailboat soon. Thank you for doing this video. It’s easy to get over confident with so much exposure to the ocean and not think of these things, but it’s vital. And even more to train the non experienced partners. Good winds to your dad up there.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks! Yes it’s easy to get complacent so we need to work to keep safety at the forefront in our minds. Thanks for your kind words about dad, and good luck with your new boat!

[@captaindave8683]

Thanks for sharing. Practicing drills is so important and you did evrything you could.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words! Yes drills are important and so is flexibility because things often turn out in other ways than you practiced!

[@captaindave8683]

Can I share this video on my channel? This is my first real year making videos and I never shared another video. I'm working a series right now about man overboard. I teach sailing classes and mostly focus on making videos for my students to watch before class to get a little bit of understanding ahead of class.

[@SailingTipsCa]

@@captaindave8683 Sure thing - I made this channel to help people learn about sailing and if you can make any use of my content for that purpose please feel free to link to or share any of my videos! Good luck with your channel and classes and also feel free to reach out via the email address in the “About” section of my channel if you want to get in touch to discuss ideas or collaborate.

[@haljetdvr]

Thank you!

[@SailingTipsCa]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@fmh357]

Condolences about your Father, that must have hurt. I do want to say I appreciate the lessons you share with us. I no longer live in the PNW San Juan area so don't do any saltwater (green) sailing anymore. We do have Big Lakes and fast rivers where I now live in Montana so many of the lessons, especially safety and rescue still fit. Thanks and God Bless.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks so much for your kind words! Rivers and lakes also deserve respect!

[@budgie003]

A very brave blog my condolences to you

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks! It was a bit emotional to film that, but I thought it was a good story to share, and hopefully help somebody else!

[@markc3717]

Very much appreciated. thank you for sharing with us these hard but precious lessons. Take good care.

[@SailingTipsCa]

I hope it's helpful in some way!

[@frederickwood9116]

Thanks for sharing so much here. Many lessons for anyone around water.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - glad it was helpful!

[@machinemender]

Incredible information as I learn sailing.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks so much - good luck with your learning!!! And thanks for watching!

[@MillikanVersuch]

Sorry for your loss and thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words!

[@leeneal33]

Very good information and descriptions. Very good food for thought. So sorry about your Father.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks! Dad’s passing was a bit sudden and shocking, but also glad he passed quickly doing something he loved.

[@jaspersoda8286]

Thanks for the informative and personal insight. Came across your channel by chance but much to be learned. It is easy to feel guilt under the circumstance . . . 'could I have done something else that would have made the difference?' And that same 'guilt' eventually had me step away from a 20+ year career as an Advanced Care Paramedic. But having witnessed that type of event personally so many times (without knowing the full facts of your father's circumstance), it is so incredibly unlikely that you could have done any more than you did. That time between 'I think I'm going to faint' and him becoming unconsciousness . . . god rest his soul . . . his heart had most likely already stopped; irreversibly. In life, dwell not on what could have been . . . but what was. Your father lived a full life and passed quickly and painlessly bonded in the presence of his loving son. Life is fleeting . . . but does it get better than that? And it involved a sail boat! Thank you for sharing. And look after yourself. Treasure the moments in between.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks so much for your kind and wise words! Yes I was certainly filed with self-doubt for the next several days after dad passed, despite the coroner re-assuring me that I did everything right. The autopsy revealed that he fainted and died from an aortic dissection, which would have been decisively fatal regardless of where he was. This might sound strange, but I was very thankful to have been there with him in his final moments. The hardest part was stepping back aboard my boat after they packed him up and took him away. His watch and car keys were lying on the saloon table where he left them, as though he’d grab them when it was time to head home. When I saw them lying there I broke down and cried, knowing he’d never need them again!

[@stevebcaz]

Thank you for sharing. Profound experiences. I am taking your recommendation to heart.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Glad you found the video valuable!

[@TheSteveEL]

Very instructional Gary. Thanks for creating this video. Your father would be proud.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks Steve - I appreciate that!!!

[@michaelmesservy6959]

I really appreciate you sharing these experiences. It’s helping me think again about my own safety protocols as well as my safety briefings.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - glad it was helpful! Safety briefings are important but often overlooked...

[@VRzichtbaar]

First my condolences and thanks for sharing. I really appreciate your eye opening stories and realise now there are way more scenarios than a man over board of your own crew. Strangely enough this stereo type situation somehow is the only one that you train for. Again thanks for sharing so openly and possibly shave a live once because of it. Regards Bob de Bruin

[@SailingTipsCa]

Yes it’s ironic that we often train for crew overboard scenarios for our own crew, but you may actually be more likely to have to rescue somebody from another boat who hasn’t participated in your training regime!

[@johnfarmer87]

Thanks for sharing your story and very sorry for your loss. Your videos are clear and helpful. Thanks again.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement!

[@jlow2159]

Omg I’m so sorry about your dad

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks! Yes it was shocking for us but quick for him - the autopsy showed he had an aortic dissection.

[@Jarek12010]

I would like to stress what you already stated, you have to be clipped in. Lifejacket is mostly useless at sea. DO NOT fall overboard. I have a similar story to yours. One of those orange 2 foot diameter ball fenders came undone from the aft rail. We were running with two headsails, no main, one of the headsails on the spinaker pole, about Force 5. Immediatelly we got a spotter on the ball and started reconfiguring the boat to go back upwind. 8 people crew, 43 foot boat. By the time were were reconfigured and started searching, the spotter lost the 2 foot orange ball from his sight in gathering darkness. DO NOT FALL OVERBOARD

[@SailingTipsCa]

Exactly! People say things like “I can swim” or “My PFD has a light and AIS transponder” but finding and getting somebody back on board in rough conditions can border on impossible!

[@calvee123]

I also thank you for your sharing of an incredible story. I feel for you, and I had no idea of how difficult it could be to try and lift someone up onto a dock from the water. What problems could happen. I definitely learned something today.

[@SailingTipsCa]

That’s was probably the most frustrating few minutes of my life - I felt so helpless!!!

[@kurtism9040]

Thank you. From this I see the need to invest in some gear like that you've recommended. And too, to practice MOB drills. I'm going to suggest practicing retrievals to the boat with perhaps the main sheet B&T as hoist... and possibly some other techniques. We'll have to be creative and see what might work. Sorry for your loss. Your tragedy is now helping to maybe prevent another occurrence.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks so much - I’m also hopeful that we can help others be slightly more prepared for such tragedies!

[@smrd0110]

I am so sorry, but your stories and experience and the lessons learned you convery will undoubtedly help save others.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - I certainly hope so!

[@Sachiel235]

Pro Tip: Anywhere in the coastal US, the coastguard will get you free of charge. They're not allowed to charge for search and rescue. Always carry a VHF radio when on the water. Even when sailing my Laser, I bring a radio if there isn't a crash boat and always have one anyway when frostbite racing. Apparently there are a lot of preventable deaths cause people are afraid of the absurd cost of a medflight.

[@SailingTipsCa]

It’s definitely good to 1) be aware of your local coastguard’s terms of service and 2) have a means of contacting them e.g. a VHF!!!

[@TheBoatPirate]

youre very right about everything you have said. buy that gear and practice with it like your life depends on it, because it might. this stuff is like carrying a gun or a fire extinguisher, you hope you never need it. but if you do, NOTHING else will work. you may even look at that expensive crap hanging on your lifelines and think, "what the hell did i waste my money on that for?". THAT is a sign from god or whoever. telling you that you havent trained enough this week. train, train, train. like your life depends on it, because it might. or someone elses life might be on the line. thank you for the video. my condolences for your dad, that must have been a seriously sucky day for everyone involved.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Yes hopefully you never need this stuff, but it is VERY helpful when you do!!! My key learning is to be flexible and not to expect that the people involved in your emergency have trained with you.

[@garthharrington9683]

Garry I’m surprised how many life jackets don’t have harness attachments or crotch straps. I guess your father could have been wearing a PFD. I’m going to think about always having one on (or more often at least)

[@SailingTipsCa]

The marina where he fell overboard now requires all staff to wear PFDs on the dock, may be coincidental, but a great idea! They also installed more boarding ladders to enable people to get out of the water more easily. I also can't believe crotch straps aren't standard features!!! They seem to be more common on PFDs for kids, and come on some of the higher end inflatable Spinlocks or Mustangs, but they really should be on all PFDs.

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

The crotch strap is integral to the inflatable life vest. My Spinlock has two.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Yes higher-end inflatables like Spinlock have integral crotch straps, but some of the cheaper ones don’t…

[@jlow2159]

Who’s the captain the survivor or the captain?

[@SailingTipsCa]

I was both the survivor and the captain. Dad called himself the Chief Sanitation Engineer!

[@jlow2159]

A drowning person is unpredictable that’s why one in the water with such comes up behind the victim and takes them around the neck in a choke hold

[@SailingTipsCa]

Good advice!!!

[@michaelsullivan2554]

He couldn't get in one more time to clear the life sling I would have done that for you for saving my life and kayak

[@SailingTipsCa]

The ocean here is less than 8 C / 46 F for most of the year and he had been in the water for close to 30 minutes so his hands didn’t really work anymore. The prop is also well under the boat so I needed flippers and a mask and multiple dives to finally get to cleared. I don’t think he could have done it in his condition even if he wanted to!

[@michaelsullivan2554]

@@SailingTipsCaI understand fully. I humor is kind of off I was actually just kidding. He's so lucky you guys found him. It was an answered prayer whether he said it or his guardian angel said it for him.

[@SailingTipsCa]

@@michaelsullivan2554 LOL He did take us for a beer afterward and express how lucky and thankful he felt!!!

[@Aeroworks540]

So sorry

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks! That experience really drove home the harness with crotch strap concept for me - it creates a “handle” to pull the person out of the water. If my dad had been wearing a harness I could have had him out of the water several minutes earlier. Similar to my dog’s PFD - he can swim great but the handle on the back is really handy so we can pull him out of the water like a suitcase.