Lives saved
1
Boating
River
Weather
Rogue wave
Carrick Roads, United Kingdom
50.184296°N, -5.0409858°W
Posted on February 5, 2019 by Allan Osborne
What happened?
I am very fortunate today to be sharing t his. I may not be as experienced as some but i am always prepared when going out kayaking on my own
Sat 26th January i did my homework wind direction, speed and the weather forecast,I looked on my os maps for sheltered areas to paddle as the winds was very strong winds up to 30 knots. Equipment and Clothing checks done and prepared. The area I chose was sheltered from the prevailing winds and the waters was carm to start with and was great fun. However the weather changed with winds picking up an gusts getting stronger. So I decided to turned back an in doing so I banged my head on my paddle as several big swells hit me sending me dizzy. This led to me capsizing and things changing very quickly. I attempted to roll back up but dislocated my shoulder, i release myself from the cockpit of my kayak to attempt a self rescue which I have done so several times before. I tried 10 plus attempts to self rescue and in the process relocating my shoulder back into place. I had been in the water by now around 20 minutes and the winds had got stronger with it gusting up to 57 knots and the swell getting bigger. Feeling very cold and tired I decide to press the button on my ACR ResQlink +. I held on to my kayak for what seem a long time shivering when the Falmouth Lifeboat crew came into view. They came beside me and helped me aboard the lifeboat and was informed that they was with me within 30 minutes of my pbl signal being sent. All the crew praised me for using my plb as it gave them my exact location where i was and they were able to track my location on there route to me. Moreover staying with my kayak and wearing the right clothing, having done the right things saved my life.
Things can go wrong very quickly I am so pleased p that i was so prepared for the unexpected and a huge thanks goes to the Falmouth Lifeboat crew who are all volunteers.
Words of wisdom
Always be prepared for anything and everything as things can go wrong at anytime and very quickly.
Thank you note
Keep up the amazing work you do for what you do is worth more than words can say.
Rescue location
Carrick Roads, United Kingdom
Rescue team
Coast Guard