Kayaker Drowns On Meramec

[eric1978]

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/state-and-regional/4882256e-b178-11df-b594-00127992bc8b.html

Kayaker drowns in Meramec River

Posted: Thursday, August 26, 2010 8:05 pm

CRAWFORD COUNTY -- A Sainte Genevieve man drowned Wednesday in the Meramec River while kayaking with friends, according to the Missouri Water Patrol.

Jonathan Kern, 52, disappeared in a section of the river south of Leasburg where the water is about eight feet deep. His body was recovered by the water patrol after a three-hour search.

Kern was not wearing a personal flotation device, according to the highway patrol.

[Mitch f]

That's horrible

[flytyer57]

All the talk of wearing PFD's and this dung still happens.

[eric1978]

All the talk of wearing PFD's and this dung still happens.

I have to admit...I don't wear a PFD. Stupid, I know. I heard these guys were floating at night, and that's when he drowned. I'm pretty sure I'd be wearing one then, or when the water is cold or if I'm floating solo. I need to invest in a nice comfortable one so I'm more inclined to put it on. I have that "it won't happen to me" attitude, which is just idiot rationale.

[TroutRinger]

I always wear one when in my kayak. There is just too many times when you find yourself alone even when floating in a group and bailing out of kayak is a lot harder than a canoe.

[Gary Lange]

I wear the vest whenever the big motor on the boat is running. If I was out in a Kayak or a Canoe I would be wearing the vest. I worked in Chicago as Railroad Cop and although it was hot and humid I wore my Bulletproof Vest everyday. Your safety should come first and this guy would be alive today had he been wearing his. So many don't wear them for whatever reason but they need to think about family and how much life means to them. Wear the vest!!!!!!!

[RSBreth]

I worked in Chicago as Railroad Cop

Now I know your accent, I though it was Chi-Town but wasn't sure 'til now.

Anyway, yeah, wear your vest. I don't as often as I should, but I should.

I always wear it in the "big boat" when the motors on, but I need to get in a habit like I have in cars: Seatbelt on, all the time.

[Flyflinger]

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/state-and-regional/4882256e-b178-11df-b594-00127992bc8b.html

Kayaker drowns in Meramec River

Posted: Thursday, August 26, 2010 8:05 pm

CRAWFORD COUNTY -- A Sainte Genevieve man drowned Wednesday in the Meramec River while kayaking with friends, according to the Missouri Water Patrol.

Jonathan Kern, 52, disappeared in a section of the river south of Leasburg where the water is about eight feet deep. His body was recovered by the water patrol after a three-hour search.

Kern was not wearing a personal flotation device, according to the highway patrol.

I guess I don't understand how this happens...could the man not swim or did he bump his head? I wade the Meramec often and the water is calm enough in most parts that child could swim it.

I would be willing to bet that drinking was involved.

[ozark trout fisher]

I would be willing to bet that drinking was involved.

That's more than likely the case. I see how it could be possible to drown in a sweeper during high water, but I don't know how it could have happened to a sober person in the middle of August. PFD's are important, but arguably it's even more important not to paddle when you're drunk, especially after dark.

It's very sad- I just hate hearing about these things happening on our rivers.

[eric1978]

Yeah, it's gotta be some combination of alcohol, nighttime, a bump on the head, or some kind of sweeper, strainer or logjam. Without a PFD, two of those variables put together can be a real problem. I've encountered some logjams that I wouldn't want to fight my way out of under normal water levels and stone-cold sober...they freak me out the most.