BajaNomad

Swimmer rescued in failed border-crossing attempt

DENNIS - 7-2-2010 at 11:15 AM

I'm waiting to hear someone, anyone other than the victim, say thank you. I won't hold my breath.
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By Karen Kucher, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 7:03 p.m.

CALEXICO — A 27-year-old Mexican national was rescued Tuesday as he was trying to enter the United States illegally by swimming across the All-American Canal about three miles west of the Calexico port of entry, officials said.

The man was spotted about 10:30 a.m. by the operator of a video-surveillance camera system. He was swimming with two other people across the canal.

U.S. Border Patrol agents who responded to the report said two of the men swam toward the south bank and fled into Mexico, but the third swimmer appeared to be struggling in the water.

An agent got a flotation device attached to a rope out of his vehicle and pulled the man to safety. He was determined to be uninjured and was transported to the El Centro Border Patrol station for processing, officials said.

Lessons ?

MrBillM - 7-2-2010 at 11:54 AM

It's clear that the "Samaritan" groups passing out GPS units and placing water stops in the desert should expand their efforts to include swimming lessons.

Or, at least, PFDs.

wessongroup - 7-2-2010 at 01:19 PM

those are not that easy to swim across.... some pretty fast moving water... given the heat and the cold water.. it can and does do you in...

Life is Tough

MrBillM - 7-2-2010 at 05:49 PM

But, having spent MANY fun occasions swimming (and Water-Skiing on occasion) in the irrigation canals as a youth without incident, I'm unimpressed by anyone having a problem.

DENNIS - 7-2-2010 at 05:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by wessongroup
those are not that easy to swim across.... some pretty fast moving water... given the heat and the cold water.. it can and does do you in...



Shameful that the city plunge in that area didn't teach them the rudiments of flotation as well as they were taught the methods of survival in a dirt based hostile environment.
I suppose we're at fault here as well.

GawwwDammmm...I am soooo sick and tired of being responsible for other people's stupidity.

surfer jim - 7-2-2010 at 08:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MrBillM
It's clear that the "Samaritan" groups passing out GPS units and placing water stops in the desert should expand their efforts to include swimming lessons.

Or, at least, PFDs.


My thoughts exactly.

wessongroup - 7-2-2010 at 11:18 PM

Was just thinking about a time in 1964 while out at the "River" getting drunk with about another thousand or so.. someone said no one could swim across the river... well having a few dozens beers and that we were about three feet from the sun, it seemed , as I recall of the temperature.. the temperature of water was not a thought in my mind at that moment ...... at that moment it would change ..

So I jumped and started for the other side doing the breath stoke... well after a mile or so I got to the other side, but remember how cold that water the Colorado River was .... Compared to outside temps of around a 100º... yeah I know it a dry heat, and wait until summer... :lol::lol:

But, I used to surf and played water polo.. some guy from out in the stick down in Mexico.. the guy did have a chance.. or about as much as I would in 30' surf at Jaws.. the poor boy was just ignorant.. lucky to be alive..

calm down.. relax.. only a few more hours and the World Cup starts at seven am, should be a good game.. and maybe even an excuse to have a beer with my my morning burritos with fresh Jalapeno's ... I'm getting up early to cook some food..

[Edited on 7-3-2010 by wessongroup]

Don't Swim Drunk

MrBillM - 7-3-2010 at 08:47 AM

That brings to mind one Late night when a few of us were sitting on the Beach in Biloxi, Miss. after drinking a LOT of Rum purchased at one of the many package stores in that Dry State.

As a result of a "serious" discussion, we decided to see how many MILES we could swim out to sea.

Fortunately, we regained "enough" of our sense before getting out to the shipping channel.

Besides, we'd left the booze on the beach.

[Edited on 7-3-2010 by MrBillM]