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What's the closest you've come to dying? (lemm.ee)

submitted 2 weeks ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Not at all close to death because I had a partner to help me out and was close to a shore near a road, but I think this is the closest I’ve come:

Capsized my touring kayak in glacial lake water without a wetsuit when a sudden gust of storm wind blew me over. Climbed back in to the kayak just fine but my cold cold arms couldn’t operate the bilge pump to empty out the water from the boat, so it was unsteady and I just blew over again.

The shore was not far but when I got there I found my insulated pants I chose for just this just-in-case were not at all the right gear; not warm at all when wet and the strong storm winds kept freezing me. (No rain — just big giant wind gusts out of nowhere)

Lesson learned: when you’re kayaking dress for the water temperature as if you’re planning to fall in because you might. Even if it’s sunny out.