January 11, 2025 – Kern County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on December 30, 2024, at approximately 2:15 p.m., deputies assigned to the Kern River Valley substation along with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Park Rangers were dispatched to Lake Isabella for an overturned vessel with the occupants in distress in the water. Deputies along with Park Rangers arrived in the Camp 9 area and located an adult male and adult female in distress and in the water near a small, capsized vessel.

Deputies and Park Rangers were able to successfully assist the male and the female out of the water where they received medical treatment. The vessel was later towed to shore and recovered from the water.

The Kern County Sheriff’s Office would like to take this opportunity to remind the public of some safety tips regarding water safety.

Make sure your vessel is equipped with proper life vests.

If you fall into a body of water, roll onto your back and lift up your feet to float.

Additionally, there are a few dangers associated with wearing waders.

If your waders fill with water, the weight can make it difficult to move and increase the risk of drowning.

Here are some tips to stay safe while wearing waders:

• Wear a wading belt around your waist.
• Wear a personal flotation device (PFD) for extra buoyancy and support.
• Practice the buddy system so someone can help in an emergency.
• Avoid wearing waders in deep water areas.

For more safety tips Visit California state parks, Boating and waterways safety page at https://dbw.parks.ca.gov.

View video here.

Source: Kern County Sheriff’s Office