New device makes water rescue easier

LAKEWAY, Texas - Fun is probably at the top of your list when you head out to the lakes, but safety should be up there too. The Lower Colorado River Authority is working on a new tool to make this spring safer on the water.

"If anyone out there's in distress, we come up on a boat sinking or even our own people if something happens, we try to create safer ways to save people and pull them safely out of the water," said Chris Hernandez, LCRA water surface management specialist.

One of the hardest parts of a rescue is getting the person back in the boat.

"They'll most likely be fatigued and won't be able to help themselves," said Hernandez.

The LCRA set out to make it easier. They developed a two-part rescue system. It starts with a yellow flotation device that can be thrown to the victim.

"I think it's great especially with this device we have,” said Hernandez. “It goes around the victim, cinches up, holds them securely. They don't have to worry about trying to swim or struggle or stay afloat. It keeps their head afloat."

The next part is a double pulley system that hooks both to the boat and to the victim. The pulleys take the burden of lifting the victim off the rescuer in boat.

“Depending on how high the side of the boat is, one individual it’s very difficult to try and pull them into the boat itself,” said Jesse Tarin, LCRA safety specialist. “Not only that it gives you the potential for a back injury as you’re reaching over, it’s a very awkward position.”

The LCRA is hoping not to need the equipment, but low lake levels present more boating and swimming challenges.

"The bottom of the lake can change,” said Tarin. “You can be standing in two feet of water and you take a couple of steps and all of a sudden you're in 30 feet of water."

There’s also the issue of more debris around the shore and islands. The LCRA’s advice: have life jackets handy and make sure your boat is in good working order before hitting the water.