A 36-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to United States Army South died in an off-duty water-related mishap 3 July 2023 in San Antonio, Texas, at 0930 local. A group of Soldiers was fishing on Calaveras Lake in a privately owned boat when the operator turned the boat to maneuver to another fishing site. While turning, another Soldier stood up and fell into the lake. He treaded water briefly and began to call for help. The Soldier operating the boat stopped and entered the water to assist but was unable to rescue the other Soldier. The two other Soldiers remained in the boat and moved to shore. At 0935, nearby civilians notified 911. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Department, San Antonio Fire Department, game warden and emergency medical technicians with helicopter support initiated search-and-rescue efforts. The Soldier’s body was recovered the next day.
Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to off-duty water-related mishaps. This mishap was the second off-duty water-related mishap of FY23
Safety tip
Safety tips to prevent an overboard mishap
One of the most common causes of an overboard and subsequently drowning is an onboard member standing in an unsecured position and falls over the side of the boat.
- Prepare for emergency situations beforehand. Overboard victims face a number of dangers, including panic, injury during the fall, and hypothermia. For those aboard the boat, quick thinking and coordinated action are essential to an effective rescue.
- While on board you should always strive to have three points of contact with the boat.
- This means, you should have both feet planted and
- holding on with at least one hand.
- If you are moving about, hold on with both hands to something firm like a grab rail or stanchion and take one step at a time.
- If seated, have your feet touching the floor or holding on with both hands.
- Having three points of contact assures that your body is positioned in such a way that the majority of your body is in contact with the boat, and you won't be set off-balance easily.
- Avoid standing and sudden movements whenever operating your boat and plan ahead to avoid unsafe operating and environmental conditions like bad weather or rough water.
- If the boat is in operation while standing, assure solid footing and brace yourself if it has a leaning post or bolster chair.
- Always wear your engine cut-off lanyard so that the engine stops if you go overboard.
- Before departing on your boat venture, ensure everyone on board knows where the life-saving gear is located and how to use it.
Life jacket safety
A life jacket (or personal flotation device - PFD) is the single most important piece of equipment on your boat. More than two-thirds of all boating fatalities are drowning incidents and 90% of drowning victims were not wearing a life jacket.
- There should be at least one life jacket for each person aboard.
- Life jackets should be properly sized for each person aboard.
- Selecting a proper life jacket and wearing it is the best thing a boater can do to ensure a safe and enjoyable day on the water. A hang tag with important information will accompany each new life jacket.
- Children under a certain age are required to wear their life jacket (typically under 13 – see state requirements).
- Participants engaged in certain water sports are required to wear a life jacket (typically skiing and personal watercraft operation – see state requirements).
- These life jackets should be readily accessible and not in an out-of-reach location or in original packaging.
- If throwable devices are on board, they should be immediately available for use.
- A life jacket should be viewed as an investment. You should care for it like you would anything else aboard that depends on proper function, with the exception this one could save your life!