Finding drowning victims.

ken35216 · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 5:52 pm Post subject: Finding drowning victims.

The father-in-law of a lady I work with apparently drown yesterday (on a local lake) at 3:30 pm but they have not recovered the body yet. He was on a float with his girlfriend and swam for shore but may have had a heart attack (or something) as she saw him struggle then go under. She was unable to reach him. He was in his late 50's and a strong swimmer that's why they think he had problems.

Mostly volunteers are searching.

I was researching and found this article.

Very interesting couple!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2204423/Incredible-story-couple-helped-recover-80-BODIES-drowning-victims-using-advanced-sonar-technology.html

jack keifer · Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2018 11:53 pm Post subject: Finding drowning victims

We are friends with Gene & Sandy and they are still conducting the searches. I noted this article was dated 2012. So 6 years later they are still going. Recently Gene said they are conducting a few more seminars in an attempt to teach others their techniques. Before they traveled as much as they do now, they were licensed to build Hamilton jet boats. Before our C-Dory days, they built one for us, a 16 footer with a 2 stage Hamilton pump, and a “tuned” Ford 302. Needless to say the power to weight ratio was beyond excellent. They had an identical boat and we had some fun river trips together . Good people to know, you just don’t want them looking for you.

ken35216 · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 7:06 am Post subject:

They have to be really special people. Thanks Jack!

thataway · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 9:50 am Post subject:

Sorry to hear about the drowning. I believe that Escambia Search and Rescue does have a side scan sonar--not sure of the time, or if they will travel to nearby counties. I also don't know if the "down scan/side scan" are as powerful as the towed versions. I have seen the park service at Lake Powell bring in other boats for drowning victims. One of the boats looked very similar to the boat pictured in the article.

It should be a reminder to us, as we age, that we are more susceptible to water accidents due to stresses. At times fatigue, overeating or over imbibing, heat, cold, attempting longer swims than usual, with out conditioning and rough water all contribute.

ken35216 · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 4:23 pm Post subject:

You are right Dr Bob.

They found his body this morning at 10am. That is hard on a family.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2018 6:53 pm Post subject:

From a technical point of view-

I'm guessing that the advantage of the towed transponder over one mounted on the boat is to get the sending/listening device away from the boat and its motor to achieve better definition in the returned images.

The quality / sensitivity / display and program nature of the whole system are probably on a level or two or three or more above integrated systems designed primarily for fishing, of course.

Lets look for sunken galleons full of gold while we're at it. We could add a video camera, magnetometer, and metal detector to our tow package for good measure.

Joe. Teeth