DAY OF PLEASURE TURNS TO TERROR, DEATH

by
Helen M. Davis

It was supposed to have been just another evening in August 1962. The weather was warm, the sky cloudless as a summer day should be. As the hour grew late, the sun dipped behind the coast range mountains and stars began to peek out one after the other from a background of velvet. Soon, the Perseid meteor shower would be visible as a celestial show worthy of the most experienced pyrotechnician.

No one knew the tragedy that lay ahead, or the violent way two lives would end. It was just a time to spend plying the waters of Fern Ridge Reservoir and to enjoy a picnic as so many people do. It started out that way. But, as darkness engulfed area, a boat would be found floating sans passengers, two people would be missing, and their mutilated bodies would not be found until hours later when the lake was finally ready to reveal its gruesome harvest.

Reports from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office reveal that Larry Little’s body was the first to be found. Located approximately 100 yards off the west shore, Little, 26, was determined to have drowned, though he also suffered extensive bruising and lacerations. Barbara Ketchum, 24, was found several hours later, also bearing contusions and cuts. Her face was badly wounded, and both of her eyes exhibited severe injuries. It was surmised that she had been stricken by the propeller upon falling overboard, but nobody knew for sure.

Nobody knew also, how this seemingly innocent outing on a 14-foot, 60 horsepower boat could turn so deadly. Had they struck a stump that was not visible in the evening twilight? Had they lost their balance as the boat made a particularly sharp turn? Ketchum’s wristwatch had stopped at 10:00 p.m., leading investigators from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office to conclude that she and Little had met their fate soon after embarking on their ride, but all other evidence was scarce.

All that was known irrefutably was that two young people were dead, two children were without a mother, and another child soon to be born would never know his or her father. Two families were forever altered and left with innumerable questions as to how this had occurred. Was over imbibing to blame for the loss of these two people far too soon, or was it just a case of inattentiveness? Could something even more sinister have been at play? No one will ever know. The story was taken to the respective graves of Larry Little and Barbara Ketchum where it remains.
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With another summer boating season upon us, it’s important that those who seek out fun on the water do so responsibly, so another tragedy of this magnitude does not occur. Flotation vests should be worn, and alcohol should be used in moderation if it has to be used at all. Drinking and boating, like drinking and driving, should never be combined for the safety of all who wish to enjoy time on or in the water. One must take care to watch for hazards so as not to become entangled and then capsize.

Cold water shock, which causes the closing of blood vessels in the skin, which in turn causes an increase in blood flow, is a top cause of drowning. Heart rate also increases which causes the heart to work harder and the blood pressure rises. This can lead to heart attacks even in those who are young and enjoy good health.

When skin is suddenly cooled by cold water this causes a person to gasp involuntarily for breath. Respiration rates can uncontrollably change, increasing as much as tenfold sometimes. All of these things factor in a feeling of panic being experienced, which increases the chance of aspirating water into the lungs.

This can all take place rapidly; it only a half a pint of sea water entering the lungs is necessary for a fully grown man to begin to drown. So, what do we do to keep ourselves and those we love safe this summer? There are steps one can take to contend with cold water shock and reduce the chance of death. If you should find yourself in the water unexpectedly,

• Don’t attempt to immediately swim. The initial effects of cold water will pass in less than a minute.
• Relax and float on your back so you can catch your breath. Grab hold of something to keep yourself afloat.
• Remain calm. Call for help or, if you are able, swim for safety.

Boating encompasses many types of watercraft and activities for any adventure one can imagine, whether it be racing through whitewater rapids or relaxing on a peaceful lake. However, in order for it to be a fun and thrilling time, one should be prepared, possess the proper equipment, and know what to do in various situations as this can and does make a difference.

The Pacific Ocean (including the surf zone) and rivers are the most characteristically dangerous. One should always make a point of scouting ahead, minding the tide, and deciding which route is safest and plan to expect the unexpected. The majority of accidents and fatalities are a result of falling overboard, errors/misjudgment on the part of the operator, and reckless behavior such as over imbibing.

Think about how you would react if you fell overboard. Would you be able to rescue yourself? What would you do if you got caught in a snag? What would you do if your boat swung around, and the anchor line was near the prop? In boating, it is necessary to think and to act with intention. Understand how your boating impacts all those around you.

It’s also incredibly important everyone wear a life jacket and dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature.” Marine board officials said wearing a life jacket that fits properly is a key preventative measure. In test fitting, the wearer should lift their arms next to their head while a tester pulls the jacket from their shoulders, state officials said. OMB officials said the jacket is too big if it rises to the earlobes or higher.

No other family should have to lose a loved one prematurely due to an entirely preventable calamity and, certainly, no other children should have to grow up without a parent nor should a parent have to bury a child because safety measures were not followed, or somebody chose to operate a boat while impaired.
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Summer should be a time to enjoy the outdoors and thrill in nature, not a time to say goodbye while being left to wonder, to say, “If only.” If we can all do our part to ensure our safety as well as the safety of one another, how much better it would be. No child deserves to have to go back to school and write a “What I Did Last Summer” essay that begins with, “I buried my mom, my dad, my sister, my brother,” because of what could have been avoided.
Let’s let this be a summer where the police don’t have to respond to any drownings, where all that occurs out on the water and on the shore is fun rather than terror, and where there is the sound of laugher, rather than the sound of tears. Let’s let this be a summer of living, not dying.