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State Police: Trooper uses kayak to rescue woman drowning off Wollaston Beach after she walked into the water naked
By adamg on Fri, 11/15/2019 - 7:04pm
Trooper Michael Bucca in kayak. Photo by State Police.
State Police report that early this afternoon, a woman took all her clothes off at Wollaston Beach, then walked into the water - and began to drown about 100 yards offshore, as the current began pulling her away from shore.
One of the first officers to arrive was Trooper Michael Bucca, who State Police say noticed a nearby, off-duty Quincy officer with a kayak, borrowed iand began rowing out to her:
Trooper Bucca reached the woman and kept hold of her as MSP Marine 15, with Troopers Vernon Hubbard and Matthew Braga aboard, navigated alongside. As Trooper Hubbard piloted the boat, Trooper Braga pulled Trooper Bucca aboard, and Troopers Braga and Bucca immediately pulled the woman aboard and began CPR. Initial indications were that the CPR was successful and the woman was breathing.
MSP Marine 15, with the woman aboard, rushed to the Wollaston Yacht Club , where an ambulance was waiting. The woman was transported by ambulance to Boston Medical Center.
State Police report the woman is in critical condition this evening. A Quincy police officer who jumped into the water in a wet suit duiring the rescue was taken to a local hospital for observation.
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Comments
Good on the Quincy PD
But I honestly don't get why an officer would need 'observation' for going into 56˚ water with a wetsuit. People go into that temperature water all. the. time. in wetsuits. The air was warm, the sun was out, hardly an extreme temperature event.
Quincy off duty cop
It does not have to be just cold water to have to go to the hospital after an incident such as this .
Stress, exhaustion, trauma from witnessing a dying woman and being part of her rescue by your own heroic choice / actions.
God Bless all of those involved.
I hope she recovers from whatever pain made her walk into the ocean and try to end her life.
Also,
There are all different thicknesses of wetsuit. Some don't offer a lot of insulation. Further, you don't know whether the guy was wearing a hood, gloves, or booties. Without those, he'd lose a lot of heat quickly. I think it's reasonable to assume that the responders on scene knew what they were doing.
Bloodborne pathogen exposure
If he provided CPR or other medical care for her without using a mask or wearing gloves, he will need to be treated for bloodborne pathogen exposure as a precaution. It's a worker's comp/OSHA thing, and the police department is doing the right thing in following the letter of the law here.
As a former lifeguard, I am also impressed by this rescue: victims only have about 20 seconds before they sink completely and 5 minutes before their heart stops. This woman is very, very lucky.
Yeah but
Is Swirly okay?
I'm fine
My name ain't Ophelia.
I may be of the Clan of Seals, but I generally use wetsuits after September.
I hope this woman can find the strength to battle the demons that sent her into the briny deep.
As someone who has been
As someone who has been through some shit and loss that some of you can relate, my heart goes out to this woman. With proper monitoring of the right therapy for serious depression, which includes medical experts understanding that depression is difficult to control and takes time and understanding with the right prescription because each person's brain chemistry is unique, I pray she ultimately finds a space she feel good with. I'm pulling for you, sis.
A cry for help
I hope she pulls through and gets the help she needs.
a hero
Thank you Trooper Bucca for you quick action in saving this woman's life and to Troopers Vernon Hubbard and Matthew Braga for getting her to medical care.
Another K-9 Career Opportunity
All of the humans in the cold water aspect could have been avoided if the State Police or Quincy Police had a K-9 Officer with the requisite skills -- aka a Newf
These giant dogs were specifically bred for the task of swimming and pulling [people, boats, etc.] in miserable weather and extreme sea conditions -- aka Newfoundland
They come fully equipped with their own multi-layer wet suit and as a bonus they possess superhuman swimming strength*1
*1 from the wiki