Posted on 07/21/2018 5:51:55 AM PDT by Freedom'sWorthIt
Powells Point, N.C. — Beach-goers in the Outer Banks got a powerful reminder of the dangers of the ocean after a man drowned Thursday.
According to police, the drowning victim, Kenny Ray Gooch, 32, was from Powells Point and sacrificed himself to save his girlfriend’s son.
“We heard screams of help in the water and we looked out and there were multiple people in the water, somewhat scattered,” one witness said.
Southern Shores police said three teenage boys were swimming north of the Kitty Hawk Pier at about 8 p.m. Thursday when they got pulled too far out.
Gooch jumped in to save them. They made it out of the water, but he did not.
(Excerpt) Read more at wral.com ...
Being out beyond the end of a pier was just risky for those boys.
Can’t you just elementary back stroke, back?
“Can’t you just elementary back stroke, back?”
1 cubic foot of water weighs about 62 pounds. A rip current can move from 2-8 feet per second.
So, no you can’t.
L
Don’t know about the backstroke - they say to swim parallel to the shore.....and not to panic....easier said than done.
‘Being out beyond the end of a pier was just risky for those boys.’
don’t venture out into water above your waist or chest and you won’t have these issues...and in any case, stay far away from fishing piers, unless you want to be attacked by sharks...
Southern Shores police said three teenage boys were swimming north of the Kitty Hawk Pier at about 8 p.m. Thursday when they got pulled too far out.
Gooch jumped in to save them. They made it out of the water, but he did not.
...
This happens all the time. Use a boat, a pole, a branch, anything that floats or wait for the pros to do it.
‘Article says this is the eighth drowning along the Outer Banks since April this year.’
this will no doubt cause these beaches to assign lifeguards; worst thing that could happen...at Margate, in Jersey, three guards were sitting on a tower, and wouldn’t allow anyone outside of their straight ahead vision; I was maybe twenty yards from that edge, and they’re blowing whistles at me...
I told them to stuff their whistles; I’ve been swimming in the ocean for more than 65 years, and don’t need the likes of them to save me; the blockhead in charge wanted to throw me off the beach, which he of course had no right to do, as I was breaking no rules...now I understand that in Jersey, you can’t swim in the water with no lifeguards present, anywhere, screw that...
you can’t pump your own gas in Jersey, either.
“Man drowns while saving girlfriend’s son in Outer Banks”
Man drowns while trying to save girlfriend’s son in Outer Banks.
There fixed it.
“...Gooch (victim) charged into the water to help the boy but was pulled out to sea and disappeared from sight. Two bystanders rescued the boy and the two other teens returned to shore on their own, Kole said.”
RIP.
Powell’s Point is just over the bridge and is now actually considered part of OBX despite being inland, the big H2OBX water park is there. They were locals. Mr. Gooch no doubt knew what he was getting into, and knew better. Fear and panic got the best of him though, he did it out of love. RIP, Mr. Gooch. You tried.
We were just there at Jeanette’s Pier a week and a half ago. Rip tide warnings on our last day there.
RIP
You aren’t kidding about the sharks. Just go out on the pier, walk to the end, look down. You won’t ever swim near one again.
That said, surfers love it near piers, they can have a similar effect to a jetty upon the surf.
The surf and ocean currents there are pretty stout on a normal day.
Reach, Throw, Row and Go.
Those on the shore are just a likely to panic as those in the water. Usually those that immediately jump into the water to help, have not considered any other alternatives.
Old NC beachcomber and riptide survivor here. If you get pulled put, don’t panic and fight it, or you’ll rapidly become exhausted and drown. Keep your head above the water and let it take you out. It only goes out 100-200 yards, usually. When it stops pulling you out, try to swim or float parallel to the beach and then swim into shore with the natural flow of water and the wave action. Best yet, know where you’re swimming and avoid areas known for rip tides. This procedure was once taught to Boy Scouts, long ago, when the Scouts were real out-doorsy type Boy Scouts.
Great advice, thanks.
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