RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The second death in less than two months occurred July 18 at Canyon Lake, further spotlighting the need for safety awareness by visitors who spend leisure time there.
Family members pulled an unconscious, 37-year-old man from the water July 12 and began administering resuscitation efforts. They were unsuccessful at reviving him and he was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Officials did not rule out the possibility that the man could have suffered a heart attack, but said drowning was a definite possible cause of death.
Canyon Lake is a recreation spot approximately 40 miles north of San Antonio frequented by military personnel not only during the 101 Critical Days of Summer between parts of May and September, but year-round.
The events followed a June 20 incident when a boat operator drove over a 37-year-old male inner tube rider who had fallen and was waiting for the boat to circle and pick him up.
The Randolph Recreation Area, Fort Sam Houston Recreation Area and Jacobs Creek area are military-operated sectors of Canyon Lake, which encompasses 8,230 acres of surface area and contains 80 miles of shoreline in Comal County.
The entire Canyon Lake recreation area is owned by the United States Department Corps of Engineers, which leases some of the land to Randolph and Fort Sam.
Water skiing, boating, camping and fishing are a few of the many activities that pull visitors onto the lake's waters, but the military-sponsored area has hardly been touched by catastrophe.
"We've never had a drowning at Randolph recreation area," said Karen Becker, 12th Services Community Support chief, adding there had been one at Jacobs Creek four years ago.
Canyon Lake was created in 1957 and approximately 120 deaths have occurred in the four-plus decades of its existence. The military first leased land from the Corps of Engineers in 1968, installing a marina in 1971 and maintaining virtually trouble-free times.
Becker said most drownings likely occur when people have consumed too much alcohol or when people become tired after trying to swim too far, to a specific point and don't realize how far it actually is.
Friday's scenario involved alcohol, said Judy Scott, Canyon Lake site manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"If you want to look at safety issues, both of this summer's incidents involved consumption of alcohol," Ms. Scott said. "Alcohol and water don't mix well, ever."
Until such circumstances happen to individuals themselves, analysis of proper protocol for responding to emergencies might hardly be mulled.
"The first thing people should do is dial 9-1-1 on their telephone and make a report to people who can help," Ms. Becker said. "Time is of the essence, but I was on the lake, personally, four years ago when the drowning happened at the Jacobs Creek area. The emergency responders were there very quickly."
Becker added that Comal County Sheriff's Department personnel are routinely patrolling Canyon Lake on jet-ski and wave runner watercraft, while wardens with the Texas Department of Wildlife and Fisheries also maintain a presence there.
The swimmer who drowned July 12 was pulled to shore and immediately given cardio-pulmonary resuscitation by a family member. A bystander, who happened to work as a medical caregiver, came from nearby and took over CPR efforts until personnel from Canyon Lake Fire Department and Emergency Management Services arrived.
"The people with Canyon Lake FD and EPS are really, really good at what they do but we had a slight problem Friday when the family who called 9-1-1 didn't know exactly where they were," Ms. Scott said. "It is important to give exact information and to do this, you have to know the specific recreation area, campsite, etc, where you are."
When emergency situations arise at sites not directly adjacent to the water, Ms. Scott suggested sending a person out to the main road to flag down emergency responders who might not have been provided solid information.
"People can get specific information about where they are from the office when they sign in, but they also need to look at signs around their area and markings so they can give an accurate description," Ms. Scott said. "The main things to think of with safety are awareness and preparedness. Be ready to respond properly and you can save a life."
Water Safety Tips
· Know exact bearings for where you are camping, recreating, etc., in case an emergency call is necessary.
· Wear life preservers whenever out on water in boats or simply swimming near shore.
· Limit consumption of alcohol or simply don't drink at all.
· Never operate watercraft or land vehicles during or after consumption of alcohol.
· Keep an eye out for problems by others in your group or people nearby.
· In times when lake water levels are low, such as recently, be aware that instead of extended flat, shallow areas there could be severe drop-offs existent near shores.