Oregon kayaker and dog rescued after boat flips

An Oregon kayaker and her small dog, Gizmo, needed rescuing after their boat overturned within sight of the launch ramp on the Clackamas River. 

Only Gizmo wore a life jacket — a precaution that may have saved his life.

Here's what to know

The pair entered the river near Milo McIver State Park on Oct. 16, roughly 30 miles southeast of Portland, according to Outside. 

Neither Gizmo nor his owner was injured, and she needed no medical treatment.

The overturned kayak was full of water, and its owner couldn't get herself to safety as she stood in the river with Gizmo. 

Matt Aalto, the Estacada Fire District division chief who supervised the rescue, told Outside that she had struggled to maneuver the kayak shortly after setting out.

The woman's father met firefighters to show them a trail to her location. Her mother alerted emergency services after the woman called her.

Rescuers with safety ropes took positions farther downriver before wading into waist-deep water. They retrieved Gizmo first, followed by his owner and the kayak. 

The rescue took about 10 minutes.

More background

The Clackamas receives rainfall and melting snow from the Cascades, so warm air does not necessarily mean the water is safe for swimming. 

On Oct. 16, Portland's high was 78 degrees Fahrenheit, while a U.S. Geological Survey station measured a morning river temperature of just 53.6 degrees, according to Outside.

Together, those readings totaled roughly 132 degrees — above the threshold in the "Rule of 120," which some paddlers use to judge whether cold-water protective gear is needed.

Even so, the water still posed a cold shock risk.

According to the National Weather Service, abruptly entering cold water can cause an involuntary gasp and rapid breathing. If a person's head is submerged, those reactions can cause them to inhale water and drown.

Continued exposure can also impair control of the hands, arms, and legs, making it harder to swim or hold onto an overturned kayak. 

These effects can appear within minutes, before hypothermia sets in.

What can be done?

Oregon requires adult kayakers to have an appropriately sized, Coast Guard-approved life jacket within easy reach. 

While wearing one is required in Class III rapids and above, the Oregon State Marine Board recommends doing so irrespective of conditions.

For pets, the American Kennel Club recommends life jackets even for dogs that are strong swimmers. It also advises against attaching dogs to kayaks or other boats, as they could become trapped during a capsize.

The BoatUS Foundation recommends canine jackets with sturdy rescue handles, wide, padded belly straps, and a secure fit that allows comfortable movement. Unlike life jackets for people, dog flotation gear has no official Coast Guard approval standard.

Gizmo's jacket was properly fitted and equipped with a handle, Aalto noted. He also said owners should make sure their dogs obey spoken commands before bringing them on the water and choose flotation suited to their size and the conditions.

"In this case, this person did a wonderful job," Aalto observed. "She just forgot her own [life jacket]."

Where can I learn more?

Gizmo's rescue isn't the only case of people and animals getting stranded in or near water. These stories cover dog rescues from rivers, surf, and monsoon mud.

• In California, drones spotted a woman and dog stranded on a river boulder.

• In South Africa, crews rescued a dog swept 650 feet offshore and reunited him with his family.

• In Arizona, an 88-year-old driver and dog were rescued from monsoon mud after an SOS.

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