Police are continuing their investigation into the fatal drowning of an American kayaker on Okanagan Lake late last week and have issued a “tragic reminder” following the incident. At approximately 7:13 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, West Kelowna RCMP received reports that two kayakers had capsized near Westbank First Nation Beach after encountering sudden wind conditions. “Both individuals attempted to swim to shore; however, one kayaker went under the water and did not resurface,” said police in an update on Tuesday, June 23. “Neither kayaker was wearing a personal flotation device at the time of the incident.”
American kayaker drowns in busy B.C. lake after tragic incident
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/american-kayaker-drowning-bc-lake
5 Comments
cyberpunk007@lemmy.ca · 12 pts · 72d
And this is why it's important to wear s life jacket...
Admetus@sopuli.xyz · 6 pts · 72d
Even if you're a strong swimmer, people forget you can hit your head, go unconscious and you're not swimming at all.
altphoto@lemmy.today · 7 pts · 72d
I don't want to defend not wearing one because I always wear mine. But according to movies, you just pass out. You either wake-up at the hospital recovering, at an island with the most beautiful or handsome person or a pet that loves you, at the home or head quarters of the evil person who will tell you their plans or on a boat that rescued you or on a floating piece of drift wood. Definitely not totally bloated and half dissolved. No, that never happens.
skeptomatic@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 72d
You need a type 1 lifejacket to help prevent drowning due to unconsciousness. Type 2 will also turn some people face up.
These aren't commonly used for general boating and watersports as they restrict movement.
But type 3 could at least keep you at the surface where hopefully someone close by sees you and gets your air holes out if the liquid.
titanicx@lemmy.zip · 2 pts · 72d
Not only that, but often sudden cold water temperatures will cause you to inhale.