Double drowning

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Update on the missing kids. I have not been able to get on line for the past few days to update you guys but there is a development. After a couple of days searching in rough, windy conditions with cadaver dogs and not having any luck, a decision was made to bring back side-scan sonar. VA State Police, Albemarle Co, the FBI dive team and John DeMille's who operates Marine Sonic Technologies brought their sonars. John had developed the SSS used by most dive teams around VA. He brought a newer version SSS that he had developed with greater capabilities. Going back over the area we had developed as having a high probability of holding the kids, he located one body which was retrieved by divers. A second body was later recovered 400 feet away the next day after being located by John. A great job by a great bunch of dedicated folks. This search effort was the largest ever undertaken by the combined Chesterfield emergency personnel. Hats off to John who saved the families and friends as well as the searchers a lot of waiting. Unfortunately we now know the kids lost their lives, but a quick recovery was possible as a result of the sonar.
 
thank you for the update

at least the families have their loved ones to bury
 
Firstly, unfrotunate as their fate was, it is good to hear that the bodies were recovered.

catherine96821:
The thing about lifejackets is that no one EVER wears them on a boat.

At the end of last year our state government introduced a new boating law, which basically states that the occupants of any powered vehicle 4.8m long or less must wear a PFD at all times. That goes for coastal waters and inlets as well as inland lakes and rivers. Too many people going out on small ill-equiped aluminium fishing boats on a fine, calm morning only to find the weather to turn sour a couple of hours later. On bay that's 50km in diameter, up to 40m deep in places, has a shipping channel through the middle of it...
 
Now is when you wish they were run-aways.

Make sure the team debrief's.

Within the last week we have lost three of our nations most precious assets to senseless accidents just amongst our small group.

How many other children have died because of poor or improper supervision?

I can’t even imagine losing one of mine. You can’t watch them like a hawk 24-7 but parents need to take the precautions to protect them as much as possible. What is it with parents?

Kids will be kids and parents need to know what’s up and don’t play ostrich and stick your head in the sand.

Make sure those guys/gals debrief and get it out.

Good job.

By the way Marine Sonic is who we use and are going with.


Gary D.
 
Like Gary said make sure you and the divers that were on the recovery talk it out, recovering children is quit possibly the hardest thing we can ever do, the sort of emotions it brings up if kept bottled up will cause unneeded suffering for sure.

How both these kids ended up on a lake with no PFD's and no supervision, is downright beyond me and borders on negligence. We were on the lake this weekend training and saw a Dad letting a child out in a little aluminum boat by himself.... we made sure to let both of them know that he needed to be in a PFD.

Like I've said before, its like people get near the water and somebody just turns a light off upstairs and that is how these tragedies happen.

Great job on the recovery! I am sure it is a relief to be done for you and for the families and extended families as well!
 
Glad to hear they've been recovered.
Ber :lilbunny:
 
I'm glad they've been found so the parents can start some sort of closure.

I wonder if the parents even knew the boys were going out on the water?
 
catherine96821:
oh, well thats why the (?) about dragging. Interesting, I did not know why you would do it as a last resort...my friend was recovered that way in high school.
sorry to offend.
Here are a few pics of a body drag. The top flat bar is where the hooks go. We converted it to a tow sled for two divers around 25 years ago. The other sled I build.

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/47727/cat/500/ppuser/2714

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/47730/cat/500/ppuser/2714

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/47729/cat/500/ppuser/2714

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/47731/cat/500/ppuser/2714

Gary D.
 
This is an example of the inflatable Type V PFD referred to earlier. It automatically inflates when it hits the water, or it can be inflated manually by pulling the cord. The link is to the Stearns website that shows these PFDs. Note that there are several models available. We use these for all boat operators, shore-based line tenders, and other non-water-entry personnel. Because they have little bulk, especially when compared to traditional PFDs, our personnel love them.....

http://www.stearnsinc.com/Recreation/NC_ProductsList.aspx?selection=&CategoryID=7594314

Hope this helps!
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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