El Paso Man Drowns At Elephant Butte Lake
A 26-year old male from El Paso, Texas drowned on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at Elephant Butte Lake State Park, according to state park officials. Preliminary reports indicate that the victim jumped into the water from the courtesy dock near Marina Del Sur for a swim.
State park officials were notified at approximately 4:25 p.m. He was not wearing a life jacket and his body was recovered by the State Police Divers around 9:10 p.m. Saturday night. Water temperature at the lake was approximately 58 degrees and is about 16 feet deep in the area near Marina Del Sur.
“Our thoughts go out to the victim’s family,” stated Toby G. Velasquez, Bureau Chief for Law Enforcement & Boating Safety of the State Parks Division. “This is a sad reminder to remember three things: wear your life jacket – it will save your life, be aware of water temperatures, and alcohol and swimming or boating is deadly.”
After a person has been in cold water for 3-30 minutes, there’s a continued inability to hold one’s breath, loss of coordination in the arms and legs results in cramping and inability to grab onto anything. Swimming becomes increasingly difficult, painful, and the person usually cannot use their arms and legs for self-rescue and drown. It is recommended that when preparing for a cold water swim, with water temperatures less than 60 degrees, you should wear a swimmer’s wet suit and a lifejacket. Options for both of these items vary, are affordable, and the life they save may be your own!
State Park officials remind boaters to always wear a lifejacket when out on the water and to be aware of weather conditions. State law requires that you wear a lifejacket when on a canoe, kayak, or raft and that all children 12 years old and younger wear a lifejacket in a canoe or while on the deck of a moving vessel. The State Parks Division offers free boating safety classes around the state and on-line throughout the year; for more information, call 888-NMPARKS or visit www.nmparks.com.
Source: Elephant Butte State Park
