This comes to mind as we had a serious accident yesterday in the Maui foil community. I arrived to the beach just after they took him away in an ambulance and got all of the initial details from those that saved his life. I've foiled with everyone involved from the beginning, most are long time watermen/women from all backgrounds. Thankful I'm surrounded in the water with EMT's, doctors, lifeguards, athletic trainers, policemen, etc.. Their training saved this guys life.
So Ka'a point is one of the best foil spots on Maui in the winter. It has an outside reef that's a 20 minute paddle, then there's the inside beginner section that's about a 5 minute paddle. Buck, one of the older proners (he's in his 60's) was just finishing a ride from the outside to the beginner section. He came off foil and was fairly close to the inside section. He witnessed the victim (beginner) fall and hit his head very hard on his board. He said it sounded like someone cracked him with a baseball bat. The victim went down and didn't resurface, he was ko'd. Buck sprinted (paddled) over and with the help of another was able to get him above water and lay on his board. Buck said he was under for about 2 minutes. By that time others on the beach rushed out to help. 911 was called from the water (smart watch) and medics were on the beach when they pulled him in.
Long story short, with the help of everyone involved this guy is alive today. In the hospital still getting some CT scans but is awake and has talked to his family.
This is the 2nd group rescue this winter at this spot, by the same group. Last one was a serious laceration.
So it may be time to melon up, helmets may be a good idea, and always try and foil with others. And CPR wouldn't be a bad idea either.
So Ka'a point is one of the best foil spots on Maui in the winter. It has an outside reef that's a 20 minute paddle, then there's the inside beginner section that's about a 5 minute paddle. Buck, one of the older proners (he's in his 60's) was just finishing a ride from the outside to the beginner section. He came off foil and was fairly close to the inside section. He witnessed the victim (beginner) fall and hit his head very hard on his board. He said it sounded like someone cracked him with a baseball bat. The victim went down and didn't resurface, he was ko'd. Buck sprinted (paddled) over and with the help of another was able to get him above water and lay on his board. Buck said he was under for about 2 minutes. By that time others on the beach rushed out to help. 911 was called from the water (smart watch) and medics were on the beach when they pulled him in.
Long story short, with the help of everyone involved this guy is alive today. In the hospital still getting some CT scans but is awake and has talked to his family.
This is the 2nd group rescue this winter at this spot, by the same group. Last one was a serious laceration.
So it may be time to melon up, helmets may be a good idea, and always try and foil with others. And CPR wouldn't be a bad idea either.
