Strong winds knock 13 people into frigid Colorado reservoir, prompting rescue effort
According to South Metro Fire Rescue, their team responded to a mass water rescue in Douglas County on June 2 that involved 13 individuals.
The situation unfolded at Rueter-Hess Reservoir, which spans approximately 1,170 surface acres just off of I-25 in the area of Parker. It has a maximum depth that’s close to 200 feet.
Per the report from the rescue team, 11 juveniles and two group supervisors ended up in the water after strong winds hit the area. While the type of watercraft the individuals were utilizing wasn’t noted, this can be a common issue when it comes to paddleboarding amid strong winds.
The rescue mission launched around 1:07 p.m. Thankfully, all rescue subjects were wearing properly-fitted life jackets and safely made it to the shore. One person was evaluated by medics at the scene, but ultimately, no injuries were reported. According to CBS News the group was treated for hypothermia-related concerns.
Thankfully, this situation came to a positive conclusion, though it’s easy to see how that probably wouldn’t have been the case if life jackets weren’t being worn. Regardless of swimming ability, Colorado’s water tends to be cold enough to induce cold water shock which can render the body immobilized. Each year, drownings attributed to this condition climb into the double-digits in Colorado, impacting people of a wide range of physical and swimming abilities. Because of this, it’s absolutely crucial to always wear a life jacket when in and around the water in Colorado, as cold water shock can set in quickly.
It’s also worth noting that another reason why it’s important to wear a life jacket and not just have it with you is how windy Colorado can get. Not only do winds make being on the water in or on a small watercraft unpredictable, the same winds can quickly create distance between someone and the watercraft they’re trying to get back to once they’re knocked into the water. Simply hopping back on the paddleboard might not be an option.
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