Thread: Missing Kayaker

Anyone know this guy?


http://www.local15tv.com/shared/news...l#.VLP4qrFVL5M

Coast Guard searching for missing kayaker off Gulf Shores | AL.com


John Switzer was reported missing after kayaking in the waters off Gulf Shores.
(Gulf Shores Police Department)

The Gulf Shores Police Department identified the missing man as John Switzer, 24, of Starkville, Miss. He is described as having brown hair and brown eyes, standing 6 feet 1 inches tall and weighing approximately 183 pounds. According to GSPD, Switzer was staying in the 2900 block of West Beach Blvd. The last time he spoke with family he was currently on his kayak fishing. According to a news release from the Coast Guard, Switzer last communicated with his family Saturday while he was reportedly in a yellow kayak and not wearing a life jacket off the coast of Gulf Shores.

Gulf Shores police spokesperson Cpl. Josh Coleman said the department was responding to a missing persons report in which the subject spoke of plans to go kayaking, and they believe he launched from West Beach Blvd. Coleman said a helicopter from the Alabama State Trooper Aviation Unit was joining in the search effort over the water.

Gulf Shores Police Department is also assisting by conducting shoreline search patterns on land.

If he went into the water (@ about 60 degrees), survival time (without a suit) would be only 2-4 hours.
http://www.ussartf.org/cold_water_survival.htm

Sad. Hope they find him ok even if it looks doubtful.

Mistake number one, no life vest. It may be uncomfortable sometimes in a kayak but is a must because you never know what will happen. Second mistake is not having a VHF/UHF radio. Once I got my SOT kayak and planned on going in the gulf I bought one. Heard the conditions were poor. If it looks like crap or rough, I don't go. Hope they find him but by now it is gonna be a long shot. Praying for the family.

just realized he is from my home town... but i don't know him although i may know his family

you guys that do this, please be really careful

Police: Partially submerged kayak is possibly missing man's - WSFA.com Montgomery Alabama news.

He made several mistakes that you should not do in the winter from a kayak. NO PDF according PNJ no Wetsuit. if you plan on going kayaking during the winter the water temp can be 60deg or less at that temp you will last about 3 hrs before Hypothermia takes over and last but not least paddling a sit in kayak is asking for trouble. I know a lot of people do have sit in yaks but if they turtle they will fill with water and become almost useless. You can only reenter after you have bailed them out. Just my .02 Please be safe

Also, I never go alone, there is strength in numbers. That's just one of my rules as well as always wear a pfd.