Claris Law Legal Blogging Community

Name:

E-mail:

Phone Number:

Zip Code:

Your Question:

Editor: Rod Sullivan
Profession: Maritime Attorney

Category: Boating Accidents

Brian Wallschlaeger is in the hospital now, but I'll be interested to hear what he has to say when he finally starts telling the story of his survival for 24 hours at sea after he was knocked from his sailboat off of New Smyrna Beach on Tuesday, March 11, 2006.

The most plausible story is that even though he was knocked into the water, he was able to hold on to the boat until he got near shore, and then he swam the rest of the way. It is a remarkable feet in any event. 24 hours in the water brings on hypothermia, exhaustion, and dehydration. Only the toughest of men could survive it.

As I've said in this blog before, most swimmers can only tread water in the ocean for about 30 minutes before becoming exhausted. It's tougher than treading water in a pool. Only pilots and military personnel trained in "bobbing" and other water survival techniques (which I recommend everyone learn) who are able to extend their survival times. However, 24 hours is the outer limits, and even that takes an extraordinary will to live.

As I've also said many times, if you a thrown from your boat, or your boat overturns, stay with the boat even if you think you can swim to shore. If Brian Wallschlaeger did say with his boat, it illustrates why that advice holds true.