today's drowning in the water around 30-A

[Smiling JOe]

LL, here is a story which I found at http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/1708416.html
Channel 7 Panama City Beach, FL

Man Drowns While Trying to Save Teenager in the Gulf in South Walton County

A 41-year-old man, vacationing in Walton County, drowned in the Gulf Tuesday afternoon while trying to rescue his 13-year-old nephew who was in distress in the surf.

Two Walton County deputies launched their jet skis and made a number of attempts to reach the victim, at times almost becoming victims themselves.

The victim has been identified as 41-year-old David Dubach of Metairie, La. He had gone in the water to rescue his 13-year-old nephew Cody Ziglar who was caught in the undertow. (edit: I think they mean ripcurrent)

Dubuc made contact with the child, however he was unable to get him back to the beach.

Thirty-six-year-old Michael Comeaux, another relative, went into the water to help. He was able to rescue the 13-year-old Ziglar, but was unable to rescue Dubuc.

Airheart Air Medical team responded their helicopter and were able to locate Dubuc some 200 yards east of Ed Walline Park still in the water.

Walton Deputies and South Walton Fire and Rescue responded to the sighting and were able to pull the man from the water. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

 

[Kurt]

A man drowned today around 3:30 p.m. at Ed Walline Park.
According to a witness on the scene, a family who had just arrived in the area and checked into a local rental near the park, saw a young boy, approximately 6 or 7, caught in the surf.
The father of the family went into the water to attempt to rescue the boy but was soon caught up in the current as well.
Emergency responders attempted to get to the man on personal watercrafts but rough surf conditions kept overturning the watercrafts the rescuers were using.
Gary Wise, a professional lifeguard from Australia, was called in to help in the effort.
After two hours, the man was pulled from the water but could not be revived.
No names or ages have been released as yet.

 

[Smiling JOe]

... I do not think the property management companies in the area do an adequate job in educating renters about the flag system - ...

If each rental had a notebook filled with stories like this one, and many stories exist, we may have better educated mamas, but daddies will always test the waters for some strange reason.

You may not realize it, but your stance on the issue could have saved your child's life. Good for you.

By the way, it is possible to enjoy the beach without going into the water. I do it very often.

 

[SlowMovin]

I know the company we use mails the county's flag info to the renters when they send the directions and has them posted in plain sight inside the property.

I don't know what else they can do.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I know the company we use mails the county's flag info to the renters when they send the directions and has them posted in plain sight inside the property.

I don't know what else they can do.

That can be very helpful to some, but there is nothing like actual stories to wake up some people. We all have our own ways of learning. Unfortunately, some people learn from only their own experiences. I tend to learn as much from the experience of others.;-)

It has been a while since I have last looked at the Seymour the Crab water safety brochure, but maybe they need to have a more dangerous looking spokesmodel for the yellow and red flags.

 

[Miss Kitty]

Hi,

I could not find any news articles about this drowning - I want to point this out to my husband. When I visited the area in July, the flags were red or double red almost the entire week (pre-Dennis week). My husband, along with MANY other tourists who should have known better - kept going in the water. I refused to let my husband take our 5 year old son in the water, opting to stay in the pool and on the beach (not the most fun vacation we've ever had - this was the source of many arguments over the course of the week). Even though the flags were red, the resort put out beach chairs for rent, inviting people to enjoy the beach, and I just do not think people realize the danger.

I - being extremely paranoid and used to the Sarasota and Pinellas area beaches and their swimming pool-like conditions - researched the riptide phenomemon extensively before our vacation, and there is no way I would ever take a chance with my child. I wouldn't even let him in the water with a yellow flag - he is just too little and not a strong enough swimmer. Plus, in a panic situation, a child is not going to remember to swim parallel to shore until he/she is released from the current. I do not think the property management companies in the area do an adequate job in educating renters about the flag system - maybe they are afraid of scaring tourists away and losing money. Of course, people need to take personal responsbility and know what they are getting into before they get into the water (this is easy for me to say however because I grew up in Florida). People who did not grow up around the ocean do not realize how grand and powerful it is and how small we are compared to it.

Please explain something to me....Did your husband see and understand the meaning of red/double red flags?? I'm guessing you told him if not. I think you see the problem right there then...total disregard of the warning system. Thank God children have two parents most of the time.

 

[beachwanabe]

I am from the St. Louis Mo area, have been a frequent renter to Carillon Beach/Pinnacle Port west on 30A to Santa Rosa since 1986. I knew about undertow, but it took me quite a few years to hear or learn about rip currents.

Each renter should get a simple pamphlet explaining the dangers of the ocean when they sign there rental agreement or make payment. For those of us ignorant of the dangers you can go to the following site:

http://science.howstuffworks.com/rip-current.htm

Thanks to all for the great info and up to date pictures of the beaches of South Walton. Canceled our August trip but hope to enjoy time there this winter.

 

[Paula]

Are all the safety flags up again since Dennis? I think many were torn down by the storm and not all have been replaced.

Is there a number or website people could check for conditions if they don't have a flag near where they are staying?

 

[Kurt]

Are all the safety flags up again since Dennis? I think many were torn down by the storm and not all have been replaced.

Is there a number or website people could check for conditions if they don't have a flag near where they are staying?

Not all of the poles have been replaced.

Flag conditions here:
http://www.swfd.org

 

[Smiling JOe]

Are all the safety flags up again since Dennis? I think many were torn down by the storm and not all have been replaced.

Is there a number or website people could check for conditions if they don't have a flag near where they are staying?

What Kurt said.

I did witness the double red flag flying high at Ed Walline Park, where the man drowned, both yesterday and today.