http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/ ...politics, pictures, pugs and all that jazz Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:24:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-54075 Ken Sat, 19 Mar 2011 03:55:00 +0000 http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/#comment-54075 What a tragic story! What makes it even more tragic is that Walton County evidently learned nothing from this tragedy or the countless #'s of others who have lost their lives on their beaches. They say they can't afford life guards for their beaches and from what it appears to me they make very little noise over the dangerous rip currents on their beaches that have claimed so many lives. I guess educating people or making them aware of the dangers would hurt their bottom line as tourists might choose to travel to beaches less dangerous. I can attest to the fact they have learned nothing as I was just in Mirimar Beach with my family on vacation the week of March 9-16th. On Tuesday, March 15th, my 15-year old son had entered the water with three of his friends, tw0 17-year olds and a 19-year old (males). All four of these boys are excellent swimmers and swim competitively. I entered the water about 10 minutes later and as I dove in I noticed a strong rip current trying to take my legs out from under me. Growing up in Florida and knowing what to do in a rip current I began letting it carry me out and prepared to swim parallel to the beach to get out of it. As I crested a wave, two girls, about 18 years old, appeared and both were struggling to get back to shore and terrified. One of them asked me if I could help them get back to shore as they couldn't make it and both were exhausted and in trouble. I yelled for the older of the four boys to come help me with the other girl and we started making our way parallel and towards the shore. I looked back and saw my 15-year old son fighting against the current to get back to shore and although he made it he was exhausted. When I walked past the concession hut where they rent chairs, umbrellas, etc. I told him they needed to warn swimmers of the dangers of the rip current that was present and told him what had just happened. His comment to me was, "yeah, there's a rip there but I've seen worse". i told him that there is no doubt in my mind had we not assisted those girls out of the surf there would have been two fatalities on that beach. He kind of shrugged his shoulders and went on about his business. My family and the other two families on vacation with us moved back down the beach in front of our condo where the water seemed more calm. It should be noted that NO red flags were flying that day to warn of potential strong/dangerous currents. About 3:20 pm that same day my friend and I decided to go in and do some body surfing. As we entered the water I dove into a wave and when I came out on the other side of the wave I noticed a adult male floating face down in the water about 100 feet from me. My friend saw him about the same time and yelled out to ask me if he was okay. At that moment my friends young son came over a wave on a boogie board and when the wave ran out from under him he sunk down in the swell and bumped into the man who did not move. I knew then there was something wrong and swam to the man and turned him over to find him unresponsive. I immediately started pulling him towards shore with the assistance of my friend while calling out for help. The man, who never regained conciousness on the beach was taken to a local hospital and at the writing of this comment we still do not know if he made it (highly unlikely as he had probably been in the water close to 20 minutes when I found him). There was an article on the local news that night as a reporter was riding with a county deputy when they arrived on the beach. There have been no updates on this man's condition and it almost seems as like they do not put much media attention on these types of tragedys, probable because it's not good for their bottom line. I grew up in Florida and I love it there but when the profits from tourism on the Emerald Coast take precedence over the price of a human life I draw the line. We had several small children with us on this trip....we were never told of the dangers of rip currents in this area....and we are fortunate that we didn't have an incident with our children. Wake up Walton County!! What a tragic story! What makes it even more tragic is that Walton County evidently learned nothing from this tragedy or the countless #’s of others who have lost their lives on their beaches. They say they can’t afford life guards for their beaches and from what it appears to me they make very little noise over the dangerous rip currents on their beaches that have claimed so many lives. I guess educating people or making them aware of the dangers would hurt their bottom line as tourists might choose to travel to beaches less dangerous. I can attest to the fact they have learned nothing as I was just in Mirimar Beach with my family on vacation the week of March 9-16th. On Tuesday, March 15th, my 15-year old son had entered the water with three of his friends, tw0 17-year olds and a 19-year old (males). All four of these boys are excellent swimmers and swim competitively. I entered the water about 10 minutes later and as I dove in I noticed a strong rip current trying to take my legs out from under me. Growing up in Florida and knowing what to do in a rip current I began letting it carry me out and prepared to swim parallel to the beach to get out of it. As I crested a wave, two girls, about 18 years old, appeared and both were struggling to get back to shore and terrified. One of them asked me if I could help them get back to shore as they couldn’t make it and both were exhausted and in trouble. I yelled for the older of the four boys to come help me with the other girl and we started making our way parallel and towards the shore. I looked back and saw my 15-year old son fighting against the current to get back to shore and although he made it he was exhausted. When I walked past the concession hut where they rent chairs, umbrellas, etc. I told him they needed to warn swimmers of the dangers of the rip current that was present and told him what had just happened. His comment to me was, “yeah, there’s a rip there but I’ve seen worse”. i told him that there is no doubt in my mind had we not assisted those girls out of the surf there would have been two fatalities on that beach. He kind of shrugged his shoulders and went on about his business. My family and the other two families on vacation with us moved back down the beach in front of our condo where the water seemed more calm. It should be noted that NO red flags were flying that day to warn of potential strong/dangerous currents. About 3:20 pm that same day my friend and I decided to go in and do some body surfing. As we entered the water I dove into a wave and when I came out on the other side of the wave I noticed a adult male floating face down in the water about 100 feet from me. My friend saw him about the same time and yelled out to ask me if he was okay. At that moment my friends young son came over a wave on a boogie board and when the wave ran out from under him he sunk down in the swell and bumped into the man who did not move. I knew then there was something wrong and swam to the man and turned him over to find him unresponsive. I immediately started pulling him towards shore with the assistance of my friend while calling out for help. The man, who never regained conciousness on the beach was taken to a local hospital and at the writing of this comment we still do not know if he made it (highly unlikely as he had probably been in the water close to 20 minutes when I found him). There was an article on the local news that night as a reporter was riding with a county deputy when they arrived on the beach. There have been no updates on this man’s condition and it almost seems as like they do not put much media attention on these types of tragedys, probable because it’s not good for their bottom line. I grew up in Florida and I love it there but when the profits from tourism on the Emerald Coast take precedence over the price of a human life I draw the line. We had several small children with us on this trip….we were never told of the dangers of rip currents in this area….and we are fortunate that we didn’t have an incident with our children. Wake up Walton County!!

]]> http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-52812 Larry Holder Tue, 25 May 2010 06:54:31 +0000 http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/#comment-52812 It has been several years ago now, but I came close to drowning at Gulf Shores. There was a V-current (waves were coming in and going out diagonally, instead of the normal straight to shore). Just floating around, it was hard to notice that you were slowly being carried further out than you meant to go. I was floating on my back in what was chest-deep water. When I decided to stand back up, I could not touch bottom. I will tell you a certain amount of panic set in. I decided to swim on my back, which takes less energy, but decided I was being drawn out quicker than my swimming was taking me back in. I decided to switch and swim full strength as long as I could, then try touching down. Thankfully my direction of swimming likely took me out of any rip current I may have been in. The biggest panic was not my own mortality -- it was of leaving my family without a husband and a father. It took me a long time to get over my near-drowning, although I will never forget it. As life continues, if I ever feel depressed, I remind myself that every day is a new gift, and that I would not be here at all had I drowned at Gulf Shores. I am an Eagle Scout with the Lifesaving merit badge, and an average swimmer. But my ignorance of the water at Gulf Shores nearly did me in. I thank the Lord I had a second chance. For those who have not made it, my prayers are with the families they left behind. It has been several years ago now, but I came close to drowning at Gulf Shores. There was a V-current (waves were coming in and going out diagonally, instead of the normal straight to shore). Just floating around, it was hard to notice that you were slowly being carried further out than you meant to go. I was floating on my back in what was chest-deep water. When I decided to stand back up, I could not touch bottom. I will tell you a certain amount of panic set in. I decided to swim on my back, which takes less energy, but decided I was being drawn out quicker than my swimming was taking me back in. I decided to switch and swim full strength as long as I could, then try touching down. Thankfully my direction of swimming likely took me out of any rip current I may have been in. The biggest panic was not my own mortality — it was of leaving my family without a husband and a father. It took me a long time to get over my near-drowning, although I will never forget it. As life continues, if I ever feel depressed, I remind myself that every day is a new gift, and that I would not be here at all had I drowned at Gulf Shores. I am an Eagle Scout with the Lifesaving merit badge, and an average swimmer. But my ignorance of the water at Gulf Shores nearly did me in. I thank the Lord I had a second chance. For those who have not made it, my prayers are with the families they left behind.

]]> http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-50201 Hurricane Bill: Rip Currents Kill Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:13:40 +0000 http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/#comment-50201 [...] rip currents kill. One killed my friend Larry LaMotte, along with several others. He wasn’t a surfer or a risk-taker, just a dad protecting his [...] [...] rip currents kill. One killed my friend Larry LaMotte, along with several others. He wasn’t a surfer or a risk-taker, just a dad protecting his [...]

]]> http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-51968 Karoli Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:48:31 +0000 http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/#comment-51968 Jim, thanks for coming and posting your thoughts. I appreciate that, and completely agree with you about water being a hostile environment. I truly hope people (and beach communities) learn about rip currents and only go to lifeguarded beaches. Jim, thanks for coming and posting your thoughts. I appreciate that, and completely agree with you about water being a hostile environment. I truly hope people (and beach communities) learn about rip currents and only go to lifeguarded beaches.

]]> http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-51926 Jim Lasswell Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:02:46 +0000 http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/#comment-51926 I spent 22 years as a year round lifeguard and lifeguard supervisor on Florida's west coast. In 1987 I received questions from an attorney pursuing suits against Panama City and bay County Fl for ineptitude in the way they handled safety on Pan Handle beaches. In 1991 Jim Lushine with NOAA published the results of a ten year study of Rip Currents. It wasn't until Larry Lamotte died that I heard anyone in the media make any reference to Rip Currents. In 2007; the year I left the profession a member of my own agency was quoted in the media stating that rips were unpredictable. Nonsense!<br>Rips, run outs, seapusses; whatever you call them are highly predictable. On shore winds of 15 mph or more almost certainly will produce them. Topography of the underwater area aids in their formation. These are called 'occasional rip currents' and real professional lifeguards will expect them in the right conditions. Then there are mechanical rip currents caused primarily by obstructions in the path of the longshore current forcing it to detour. Swim in front of professional lifeguards; there for that purpose alone and take advantage of their knowledge. Remember that water is an environment nearly as hostile to human life as space and educate yourselves and your children to the fact that a drowning is not an unpreventable act of fate. I spent 22 years as a year round lifeguard and lifeguard supervisor on Florida's west coast. In 1987 I received questions from an attorney pursuing suits against Panama City and bay County Fl for ineptitude in the way they handled safety on Pan Handle beaches. In 1991 Jim Lushine with NOAA published the results of a ten year study of Rip Currents. It wasn't until Larry Lamotte died that I heard anyone in the media make any reference to Rip Currents. In 2007; the year I left the profession a member of my own agency was quoted in the media stating that rips were unpredictable. Nonsense!
Rips, run outs, seapusses; whatever you call them are highly predictable. On shore winds of 15 mph or more almost certainly will produce them. Topography of the underwater area aids in their formation. These are called 'occasional rip currents' and real professional lifeguards will expect them in the right conditions. Then there are mechanical rip currents caused primarily by obstructions in the path of the longshore current forcing it to detour. Swim in front of professional lifeguards; there for that purpose alone and take advantage of their knowledge. Remember that water is an environment nearly as hostile to human life as space and educate yourselves and your children to the fact that a drowning is not an unpreventable act of fate.

]]> http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-49730 karoli's status on Sunday, 28-Jun-09 19:50:48 UTC - Identi.ca Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:51:01 +0000 http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/#comment-49730 [...] http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/ [...] [...] http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/ [...]

]]> http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-49729 Karoli Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:48:31 +0000 http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/#comment-49729 Jim, thanks for coming and posting your thoughts. I appreciate that, and completely agree with you about water being a hostile environment. I truly hope people (and beach communities) learn about rip currents and only go to lifeguarded beaches. Jim, thanks for coming and posting your thoughts. I appreciate that, and completely agree with you about water being a hostile environment. I truly hope people (and beach communities) learn about rip currents and only go to lifeguarded beaches.

]]> http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-51927 Karoli Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:48:31 +0000 http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/#comment-51927 Jim, thanks for coming and posting your thoughts. I appreciate that, and completely agree with you about water being a hostile environment. I truly hope people (and beach communities) learn about rip currents and only go to lifeguarded beaches. Jim, thanks for coming and posting your thoughts. I appreciate that, and completely agree with you about water being a hostile environment. I truly hope people (and beach communities) learn about rip currents and only go to lifeguarded beaches.

]]> http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-49728 Jim Lasswell Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:02:46 +0000 http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/#comment-49728 I spent 22 years as a year round lifeguard and lifeguard supervisor on Florida's west coast. In 1987 I received questions from an attorney pursuing suits against Panama City and bay County Fl for ineptitude in the way they handled safety on Pan Handle beaches. In 1991 Jim Lushine with NOAA published the results of a ten year study of Rip Currents. It wasn't until Larry Lamotte died that I heard anyone in the media make any reference to Rip Currents. In 2007; the year I left the profession a member of my own agency was quoted in the media stating that rips were unpredictable. Nonsense!<br>Rips, run outs, seapusses; whatever you call them are highly predictable. On shore winds of 15 mph or more almost certainly will produce them. Topography of the underwater area aids in their formation. These are called 'occasional rip currents' and real professional lifeguards will expect them in the right conditions. Then there are mechanical rip currents caused primarily by obstructions in the path of the longshore current forcing it to detour. Swim in front of professional lifeguards; there for that purpose alone and take advantage of their knowledge. Remember that water is an environment nearly as hostile to human life as space and educate yourselves and your children to the fact that a drowning is not an unpreventable act of fate. I spent 22 years as a year round lifeguard and lifeguard supervisor on Florida's west coast. In 1987 I received questions from an attorney pursuing suits against Panama City and bay County Fl for ineptitude in the way they handled safety on Pan Handle beaches. In 1991 Jim Lushine with NOAA published the results of a ten year study of Rip Currents. It wasn't until Larry Lamotte died that I heard anyone in the media make any reference to Rip Currents. In 2007; the year I left the profession a member of my own agency was quoted in the media stating that rips were unpredictable. Nonsense!
Rips, run outs, seapusses; whatever you call them are highly predictable. On shore winds of 15 mph or more almost certainly will produce them. Topography of the underwater area aids in their formation. These are called 'occasional rip currents' and real professional lifeguards will expect them in the right conditions. Then there are mechanical rip currents caused primarily by obstructions in the path of the longshore current forcing it to detour. Swim in front of professional lifeguards; there for that purpose alone and take advantage of their knowledge. Remember that water is an environment nearly as hostile to human life as space and educate yourselves and your children to the fact that a drowning is not an unpreventable act of fate.

]]> http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/comment-page-1/#comment-49607 In Memory of Larry LaMotte Be Safe at the Beach odd time signatures | Cellulite Creams Tue, 09 Jun 2009 02:31:45 +0000 http://www.drumsnwhistles.com/2007/06/08/in-memory-of-larry-lamotte-be-safe-at-the-beach/#comment-49607 [...] In Memory of Larry LaMotte Be Safe at the Beach odd time signatures Posted by root 6 minutes ago (http://drumsnwhistles.com) By the time i got to the beach larry was dead floating face down in the waves leave a comment comment rss previous ktvo 3 in the heartland is was a click and help upgrade the service provided in pensacola beach thank you wendy blog comments powered by dis Discuss  |  Bury |  News | In Memory of Larry LaMotte Be Safe at the Beach odd time signatures [...] [...] In Memory of Larry LaMotte Be Safe at the Beach odd time signatures Posted by root 6 minutes ago (http://drumsnwhistles.com) By the time i got to the beach larry was dead floating face down in the waves leave a comment comment rss previous ktvo 3 in the heartland is was a click and help upgrade the service provided in pensacola beach thank you wendy blog comments powered by dis Discuss  |  Bury |  News | In Memory of Larry LaMotte Be Safe at the Beach odd time signatures [...]

]]>