This is an example of what can go wrong, at least they
both wore wet suits and dressed for the water temp.
Article from
A Coast Guard vessel =
rescued
two kite-surfers about 9 a.m. Sunday after the two men spent nearly 18 hour=
s in
a kayak.
They fought strong winds and rapidly dropping temperatures in the Gulf of
Mexico more than 14 miles south of
Dawayne Perry and Jeremy Potts were kite-surfing
about 3 p.m. Saturday when Perry's kite fell into the Gulf as the wind quic=
kly
changed direction. Perry used the emergency release to cut away from the ki=
te,
which was carried farther into the Gulf.
Perry, 27, of
"These kites are not cheap," Potts said. "We thought we had
enough time to get the kite and make it back to shore before dark. We
didn't."
As they started back toward shore with the kite, 20 to 25 mph winds and lar=
ge
waves battered them, Potts said.
"As we got closer to shore, the water got shallow and the waves got
larger," he said. "We fell into the water about five times while
fighting the sea."
Shortly before midnight, the men saw a small Coast Guard vessel.
"They were searching for us near shore but unfortunately we were farth=
er
out," Potts said. "You can't scream louder than the engines and
wind."
More than 200 people searched throughout the night, said Amanda Armstrong,
public affairs officer with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
"They did not have any flares, a radio or any communication devices,&q=
uot;
she said. "When you are searching for a kayak from the air, it's like
trying to find a needle in a haystack."
With a windchill factor of about 33 degrees, Po=
tts
said the only thing that kept them going was the fact that both men had new=
born
babies awaiting their return.
"Not one time did I ever think about giving up," he said.
"That's not the type of guy I am."
Armstrong said the risk of hypothermia is one of the main concerns when peo=
ple
are missing at sea and exposed to near freezing temperatures.
"These two men are lucky to be alive," she said. "If they
weren't wearing wetsuits, they probably would not have survived."
The downed kite, which led to their struggle hours earlier, became a lifesa=
ving
shield from the freezing elements.
"We snuggled together wrapped in the kite to keep warm, and the water =
was
absolutely freezing off the kite," Potts said. "We stayed in our
little cocoon until the sun made it warm enough for us to get out."
Finally about 9 a.m., a Coast Guard aircraft from
"When I saw that plane circle us, it felt amazing," Potts said.
"All our prayers had been answered