The guy who fell off his kayak

I went to the port of sac yesterday for a quick fish and yak outing.  I was heading around the commercial docks to the Outboard Motor Club when I could see a guy across from the club docks climbing back in a kayak, so I headed over just to make sure he was doing OK. When I got there he was in the boat (No life jacket) but his son, who was pretty obese, was hanging on to the side of the yak and was apparently exhausted from numerous attempts to climb in. 

I made my way over to his side to see how I could help and he reached for my kayak and almost dumped me out.  I told him to let go, which he did. He was wearing a life jacket but it I could see it was too small.  It didn't fasten at the bottom around his waist: He was a big boy. I needed a moment to think and told him just to hold on to his kayak and let his feet float up and rest. He couldn't do it because the life jacket was totally inadequate. Even in the life jacket he was having to work to stay up.

He was lucky the water temp was 77 degrees, in colder water this story would not have a happy ending. I realized we were only about 100' from shallow water and asked him if he could swim... The answer was no, so he was apparently Obese, with an inadequate life jacket, and could not swim! WTF?

I told him to hang on to his yak and I would tow them to shallow water (We were only in about 10' when I found them.) So I dragged them to the shore kicking my Hobie as far as I could - then had to pull the drive and rudder up and paddle through the muck but finally got them in 3 ft of water where he could stand and climb in. They got themselves situated and headed back the launch.

It got me thinking about what a fine line there is between life and death anytime your in the outdoors. I know people have died in their off-road vehicles in the desert, on hills I've climbed in my Polaris many times.  People have died on trails I've hiked and in waters I've kayaked. And I'm not a daredevil, the places I'm talking about are generally safe unless you lack any knowledge or common sense!

Just a few months ago I was in Arizona on my 4-wheeler - and I came across a guy in a beautiful Can-Am on it's side and he was standing there with a tow strap. I drove around him and used the winch to pull the vehicle back over - and after we made sure it started up and could run my brother-in-law and took off.  Five minutes later and on a tough rocky trail (not difficult you just have to go slow) the guy I just rescued blows past us going crazy fast. Again... WTF?

I did catch a couple of fish yesterday.

They were lucky you were there.  I have always been around water, ocean, lakes, n rivers. I've always been respectful of their power and have over they years learned my lessons by pushing my limits but always with an eye on common sense.  Maybe that dyed in the wool background I've given myself, contributes to my absolute awe in the number of clueless people out there. I believe humans are innately lucky or there would be allot fewer of us.

“I believe humans are innately lucky or there would be allot fewer of us.” … now that is a very true thing!

They were lucky you were there.

For sure.

common sense!

...has become an oxymoron.

Nice work.   

Good for you on helping them out, despite their lack of preparation. 

I know this topic has came up in many forms on different threads, but its all too clear that some people don't think, they just do. 

And you even caught some bass...sweet!