drowning tragedy at coral street

Dont really know where to post this.  I made a last minute decision to fish coral street saturday the 30th, after plans for Big Sur, Stillwater fell through.  The swell was building, the wind picking up and the fishing really slow.  I decided to head in when I noticed a group of people standing on the retaining wall.  You could tell they were looking at something, binoculars were out.  I figured they were looking for dolphins, so I started to look around.

I spotted a big blue bump in the water.  As I looked more closely I could see fins poking up on one end.  With  a lump in my throat I paddled over hoping the diver was just resting in a back float.  I thought back to lessons my father taught me about drowning people, and how unpredictable they can be.  He grew up in coastal Japan and had lots of experience with it.  I also remembered my scuba instructor telling us to slowly swim away as you offer the rescue regulator, again for the same reason of panicked people imperiling both victim and rescuer.

When I was close enough it was apparent this was not going to be a rescue but a recovery. 

Coral street in larger swells has breakers on both sides, wash rocks all over the place and a narrow channel to paddle in.  Unfortunately this poor fellow was floating in a bad space, not a place to linger in a kayak.  I knew I couldnt pull him on board, and no way I could tow him fast enough.  As he was relatively secure in the kelp, I decided to just call for help and paddle in.

The lifeguards, police, fire and ambulance all came.  A coast guard boat also arrived. They retrieved the body and secured him to a gurney brought him up to the ambulance and drove off.

from what I could piece together he we diving solo.  I have no idea what happened to the man, but we should all take a moment and plan for what we would do in emergency situations. 

my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims family.

Eugene

Eugene -

That really sucks. Makes you realize that the ocean can be unforgiving. I think you did the right thing, yaks really can't accomodate a rescue/recovery or even CPR. We had an exciting day at MBK. Post to follow.

Scott

Wow,

Bummer,  Great Job on Safety First on your part. 

 Strong Work!!!!

Eugene, Sorry you had to experience the saddness, Thanks for trying and know you did your best. There is nothing to gain from finding somebody except the knowledge that thier family can now start the grieving process and not agonize for days.
Randall

You did the right thing Eugene. Hats off to you.
Was he freediving or SCUBA diving???

That's sad, that just make me think how vulnerable is a human in the ocean, any thing can happen any time. 

Ver sad indeed. 

The ocean demands respect. I appreciate Eugene placing this post. I would have never known how to approach a potential drowing situation. At least we all can hopefully gain a little knowledge from this tragedy. I only hope Nate was not with you.

Man, that sucks.
Last time I was there 2 weeks ago, a firetruck+ambulance showed up because somebody fell off the rocks into the water. Dangerous spot.

Heavy.
I'm sure they all felt like tough calls, but I think you made all the right decisions. This a good learning/reminder post, and is appreciated.
Thanks Eugene.

too bad, thanks for the post.  it's very important for all of us to be reminded of what we're dealing with.  you did the right thing, basic lifeguarding dictates throw a victim a flotation object so they do not pull you down with them.

a side note, a distant cousin of mine was a very very fit 50 year old, he had completed the iron man several times, he drowned diving down south, he was diving by himself.  i never heard the exact specifics of what went wrong but he broke the #1 rule.

pj

Tough one, Eugene.  Nice work and thanks for the report that we can all learn from.

 

You did the right thing Eugene. Hats off to you.
Was he freediving or SCUBA diving???

Scuba diving.  

SC X factor-

Fortunately Nathan came down with a bug, so didnt go.  Probably only the 3rd time this year he didnt go with me.  It might have hit him hard as he has been bugging me about wanting to try snorkeling/spearfishing there after watching some others.  The reality of the dangers is probably a good thing for an "immortal" teen to understand but glad he wont have to have the graphic memory.

That is terrible to hear. Hats off to you for going to check out the situation though. I fished there a few weeks ago and saw something floating out in the kelp beds, went to investigate because it looked like a body at first. It turned out to be a west marine raft bundled up in its cover. Guess it feel off of a sailboat? Anyhow, I towed it in, took two hours to get it through the kelp.

Wurgh, that's a bad scene. Sorry you had to witness it.