Video: After kayak capsizes, emergency crews encourage wetsuits on Lake Superior
May 05, 2020 05:37AM ● By EditorWatch the WDIO-TV Report here
Mayo Clinic Ambulance personnel helped assess three kayakers for hypothermia Monday afternoon near the Sky Harbor airport. Photo: WDIO-TV
From WDIO-TV - May 4, 2020
Monday afternoon, three kayakers were assessed for hypothermia near the Sky Harbor airport, prompting first responders to encourage people going out on Lake Superior to wear wetsuits.
The Duluth Fire Department says someone called 911 to report kayaks having trouble about 200-300 feet offshore on the bay side of Park Point. One of them appeared to have capsized.
When emergency crews arrived, they found three people pulling their kayaks out of the water. All of them were wearing wetsuits and life jackets. Duluth Fire Assistant Chief Brent Consie said that may have saved their lives.
“Anytime you have temperatures under 70 degrees, water temperatures, you should be wearing a wet suit," he said.
Firefighters and Mayo Clinic Ambulance responders assessed them for hypothermia and other medical conditions, but there were no injuries.
According to the DFD, there were 1-2 foot waves in the bay on Monday.
"Users of small personal watercraft should be aware of their skill level and weather conditions before going out on the water," a press release said.
The fire department recommends all kayakers, windsurfers and people in personal watercraft wear wetsuits.
To see the original story and read related reporting, follow this link to the WDIO-TV website. https://www.wdio.com/news/possible-water-emergency-rescuers-wetsuits-lake-superior/5719825/?cat=1033...
