Kite surfer rescued from hypothermic conditions

Becca Gliddon Monday, January 21, 2013
2.25 PM

A kite surfer who fell into cold and rough water fof Exmouth was brought to safety by the RNLI crew.

Concerns for the safety of a kite surfer who fell into cold and rough water off Exmouth prompted the RNLI crew to launch the inshore lifeboat.

When the volunteers spotted the kite surfer in the water off Exmouth on Friday afternoon crewmembers launched the inshore lifeboat to bring him to safety.

The sea safety volunteers said the risk of cold water shock and hypothermia had raised concerns.

Dr. Peter Aitken, lifeboat medical adviser, said: “The kite surfer had been separated from his kite and it was not easy to see him as it was very overcast and getting dark. “We assumed he would be with his kite, but he wasn’t.”

An RNLI spokeswoman said: “The volunteers located the casualty within minutes of launching.

“Having brought him back to safety, they returned to pick up his kite but the wind had already blown it ashore.

“There was a significant wind chill factor and with a cold south easterly wind, there was concern about the potential for the effects of cold water shock and hypothermia, as water takes away body heat 26 times faster than air. “