ScubaBumps
Guest
On Friday, at Butterfly House, my buddy and I came across a lone kayaker about a 1/3 to a 1/2 mile offshore who was shouting steadily. We attempted to signal with whistles and arm signals, but got no response. We tried to use our camera zooms to get a closer look. This did not work and the kayaker kept on shouting. After a period of time, I called 911 and requested someone come with good binoculars to see what was going on. Help arrived in force within 5-10 minutes. Of course, the kayaker shut up once the emergency vehicles were in view. A State Park Rescue Swimmer went out on a surf board to assess the kayakers condition. He signaled back an OK, and on return, said the kayaker was fishing and had denied he was yelling. Embarassed about my false alarm, and annoyed with the kayaker, I thanked the responders and went about preparing for a dive, once they had departed.
When I think back through the circumstances, and the decision matrix, the only game changer that would have altered the outcome would have been if we had a good pair of binoculars with us to get a closer look at the kayaker. I'll be heading out today to buy a cheap, but decent, set of binoculars to stow in my scuba equipment box. You know, that box in your car with the extra fin straps, mask straps, and o-rings. Please benefit from my false alarm and consider doing the same.
Steve
When I think back through the circumstances, and the decision matrix, the only game changer that would have altered the outcome would have been if we had a good pair of binoculars with us to get a closer look at the kayaker. I'll be heading out today to buy a cheap, but decent, set of binoculars to stow in my scuba equipment box. You know, that box in your car with the extra fin straps, mask straps, and o-rings. Please benefit from my false alarm and consider doing the same.
Steve
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