My story....
I am a 54 year old woman who set out on a solo 310 mile kayak trip down the St. John's River in Florida. I planned for 14 days but packed for 18. I had a GPS with a SOS button and a back up GPS that was not so fancy. I also had road ID bracelet and dog tags. At mile 249 my kayak was overcome with water and I found myself alone, holding on to my kayak and of course in the water. The water was 58 degrees. My fancy GPS with the SOS button fell in the water and was at the bottom of the St. John's. My phone was almost dead and in a dry bag that was filled with water. I doubted it would work. I tried to swim but shore was a mile away. I used my whistle but to no avail. No one was around and if they were I doubt they would have heard me. After about an hour I figured I would give my phone a shot. It was in a ziplock bag in a dry bag in the water filled cockpit of my kayak. I opened the dry bag and it was filled with water. I reached in and took my phone out of the ziplock. As luck would have it, it was dry. I was able to call 911. When I was rescued they took me to the ambulance. My phone was dead so I was unable to get any contact information but because of my Road ID bracelet the paramedics were able to get my health information and contact my emergency numbers. The bracelet was used again when i was in the hospital being treated for hypothermia. My phone was dead and no one in the hospital had a charger that would fit my phone. The bracelet had all that I needed. I was treated and I am fine. I would never go on a trip without it. Everyone that kayaks should have one!
- Laurie
I am a 54 year old woman who set out on a solo 310 mile kayak trip down the St. John's River in Florida. I planned for 14 days but packed for 18. I had a GPS with a SOS button and a back up GPS that was not so fancy. I also had road ID bracelet and dog tags. At mile 249 my kayak was overcome with water and I found myself alone, holding on to my kayak and of course in the water. The water was 58 degrees. My fancy GPS with the SOS button fell in the water and was at the bottom of the St. John's. My phone was almost dead and in a dry bag that was filled with water. I doubted it would work. I tried to swim but shore was a mile away. I used my whistle but to no avail. No one was around and if they were I doubt they would have heard me. After about an hour I figured I would give my phone a shot. It was in a ziplock bag in a dry bag in the water filled cockpit of my kayak. I opened the dry bag and it was filled with water. I reached in and took my phone out of the ziplock. As luck would have it, it was dry. I was able to call 911. When I was rescued they took me to the ambulance. My phone was dead so I was unable to get any contact information but because of my Road ID bracelet the paramedics were able to get my health information and contact my emergency numbers. The bracelet was used again when i was in the hospital being treated for hypothermia. My phone was dead and no one in the hospital had a charger that would fit my phone. The bracelet had all that I needed. I was treated and I am fine. I would never go on a trip without it. Everyone that kayaks should have one!
- Laurie
