Lake Allatoona tragedy

[QC]

Re: Lake Allatoona tragedy

I see this as neither avoidable or stupid or anything but a tragic accident. Maybe a water temp issue, but warm freshwater boaters who do not let people swim without a PFD kinda blow my mind . . . Everybody amongst our group swims and dives and jumps in and snorkels and plays in the water without PFDs. If I stopped that I would boat alone . . . Hey, I love boating, but not that much.

BTW, if he disappeared without much of a visible struggle I don't know how they could've saved him, and I am guessing heart attack which might have killed him on dry land . . .

 

[oops!]

Re: Lake Allatoona tragedy

yup qc....i wont let em in the water over their head with out one.....we just have had too many accidents just like the one posted here....3-4 per year??

one just at the end of the season......a little girl about 4 ended up in the boat all alone when grandpa didnt come back....(a guy our age)...i think he just jumped in for a pee....thats what the local story is.

just waaay too many times.

when the people board the boat...i give em a quick orientation....and explain no swimming with out em.......(i admit i hear an awwww)...but the water ski pfd's are comfortable enough to wear and not get in the way.....they just wont let you deep dive.....(and there is no want to deep dive, as its way colder below and so dark you cant see).....we all have just as much fun as before i started the rule.....

actually....the people like wearing them....as the water time they get is wayyy longer, in fact....we had a group of friends last year...we all just floated beside the boat for 3 hours.....it was a real drag to be the one that had to go in the boat and get the next round of beer!

one thing i know.... if i had to come back to shore with one less person on board.....i dont know what id do.......pfd's while swimming reduce that risk

 

[lkbum]

Re: Lake Allatoona tragedy

I may not have a degree in thermodynamics, but I did graduate cum laude with a BBA. I lived there long enough so that I don't have a stereotype of Southerners. I don't have any problem with Southerners. It is only the Cartersvillans.

Now THAT made me LOL (laugh out loud). I'm surprised you didn't have to pick out any buckshot when you left. Just kidding..., about the buckshot part.

 

[QC]

Re: Lake Allatoona tragedy

actually....the people like wearing them....as the water time they get is wayyy longer, in fact....we had a group of friends last year...we all just floated beside the boat for 3 hours.....it was a real drag to be the one that had to go in the boat and get the next round of beer!

Yeah we do this a lot. And I understand and agree that 100% is safer. Buuuuuut . . . i mentioned warm water specifically for a couple of reasons. We are used to 80 degree F water with 110 degree ambient air. We stop along our routes for a quick dip every 20 minutes or so, and we spend a lot of time just sitting like you note above. The quick dips are literally a dive in to get wet, a pee, and then back we go. We try to get down to the cool water just to feel it . . .

While we are kicking back, I usually stay on board and watch and count heads. The adults are usually on or in some type of flotation device. They often ask for my throwable. I carry two, but one always stays on board. P's me O how much they want them though. I have blow-up rafts, rings, life jackets etc. etc. and somebody always tries to get my throwables . . . Grrrrr. Anyway, the kids however, youngest these days around 12, all swim to the shoreline to jump off small cliffs etc. The big guys are getting up to around 40 ft. or more, but they have strict rules on scoping the landing area etc. Our coves on the Colorado Lakes are typically very deep with sheer, steep rock walls. Also they spear fish, and snorkel. Soooooo . . . it would be a totally different experience if I was a 100%er . . . And what I describe is the norm for most boaters there.

We seem to have more accidents where boats beach than in coves as I describe. Typically they wander to the back of the boat and just disappear, drunk and unable to swim. We do have some CO issues. Usually it is alcohol off a beached boat. This is mostly Havasu. On Mead it is usually killer winds that whip up big water and people are unprepared panic and get separated from the boat. 100% PFD situation for sure.

 

[dave11]

Re: Lake Allatoona tragedy

Now THAT made me LOL (laugh out loud). I'm surprised you didn't have to pick out any buckshot when you left. Just kidding..., about the buckshot part.

Good we could use a little levity. It felt like we didn't leave but escaped.


QC has a good point. Many people have a severe MI and are dead before they hit the floor. It was a terrible thing to have the family watch.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Lake Allatoona tragedy

Good we could use a little levity. It felt like we didn't leave but escaped.


Not sure about the levity part, especially in a thread with the sombre header "Lake Allatoona tragedy" or why anyone would be sufficiently arrogant/ignorant as to bash an entire municipality in a public forum. But based on your dismal posts in this thread, I am sure that the good Burghers of Cartersville have set aside the third Saturday in May for a parade, fireworks, and a large street party to celebrate their good fortune....

 

[marine4003]

Re: Lake Allatoona tragedy

Well, looks like Dave doesnt get his share of biskets and gravy tonight......

 

[dave11]

Re: Lake Allatoona tragedy

We had a great casserole, but no B&G.