COLUMBUS, Ohio — A life jacket can mean the difference between something terrible and going back to your family, according to Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin.
“Nobody thinks it will happen to them,” Baldwin said.
Just over from his county, there was a close call at Battelle Darby Creek.
“It came in as an EMA run but it ended up being a water incident,” said Pleasant Township Fire Chief Brian Taylor.
Taylor said a kayaker was trapped upside down under the water.
“We transported her to the hospital in serious condition.”
After a week of heavy rain, the two are anticipating water conditions will be different.
As those tributaries and fields drain off, the currents going to get a little faster, the water level is coming up and it can surprise you.”
Baldwin said there are a few, simple things to do ensure water safety.
“Probably the most important item you can have is your life vest,” Baldwin said. “This truly can save your life.”
He also said to bring a cellphone and be aware of your surroundings.
“If you call for help it doesn’t do a lot of good to say, ‘I’m in the water, I’m by a tree.’”
And while Taylor and his team are prepared for water rescue situations, they need the publics’ help to avoid them.
“We’re trained for it, but we don’t want to come see you.”
