A kayaker rescued off the shore of Lake Michigan Wednesday afternoon took extra precautions before his kayaking trip, precautions police said every paddler should take.
The plan was to kayak out from Burnham Harbor around the Four Mile Crib and back to the harbor, but something went wrong on the way back.
The man had to use a Marine VHF radio to call for help after his kayak took on water, according to Officer Christopher Pinzine of Chicago’s Marine Unit.
“In the all the instances that we’ve been a part of he’s the first one who’s actually had a radio to actually radio himself for help,” Pinzine said.
Police rescued the man and brought him back to Burnham Harbor uninjured, officials said.
Pinzine recommends kayakers bring a lifejacket, flares and a radio when they paddle onto the lake.
“It’s the difference between getting help and getting help right away or being out on the water all night and, being realistic, potentially drowning,” Pizine said.
