Kauai Rescue

In Kauai a rescue can require all sorts of equipment. One day at the market I saw this hummer fully equipped with a surf board and snapped the picture. Later I met a local fire fighter. He told me that everyone on the squad must be able to swim at least a mile in open ocean. The surf board is used not to actually rescue someone in trouble but to enable the rescuer to reach the person quickly by paddling out. Once there, the rescuer assists the person in trouble while a jet ski comes to actually transport the person back to shore.

In spite of the vigilance of fire fighters and other rescue personnel Kauai averages 10 drownings/year. It's not something the visitors' bureau advertises but it is something to keep in mind. The ocean is a beautiful, powerful force that must always be respected.