HOPE — A Kootenai County man is alive, thanks to a borrowed life jacket, after running into large waves and high winds on Lake Pend Oreille late last week. 

Bonner County Sheriff’s Office officials emphasized the importance of water safety equipment and proper weather preparation after the 29-year-old Coeur d’Alene man was pulled out of Lake Pend Oreille Aug. 13 following bad weather conditions.  

Officials said the man was found in good health after surviving in waters amid 4-to-5-foot swells and wind gusts exceeding 35 miles per hour, according to a press release. Responding deputies attribute his survival to his life jacket, which was borrowed from the Idaho Parks and Recreation life jacket loaner station at the Hope Boat Basin, and his safety equipment.  

Sam Owen Fire Department also responded to the incident and aided in the search for the kayaker.  

At approximately 3:09 p.m., the Coeur d’Alene man called Bonner County officials while kayaking south of Hope after taking on water due to large waves and high winds. The man stated he was trying to bail from his kayak and go toward land but requested assistance due to concern for his safety.  

While first responders were en route to the scene, the man advised officials that his boat had capsized and that he was in the water. When deputies arrived on scene, they located the man approximately 2 miles from the closest shoreline and a quarter mile from his last known GPS location.  

“Deputies were able to pull him aboard the sheriff’s vessel and immediately assessed his medical condition. Despite being exhausted from his time in the water, he was found to be in good health and did not require further medical treatment. Deputies were also able to recover his kayak, returning him safely to shore,” officials said.  

The sheriff’s office encourages anyone wanting to venture out on the lake to check the weather forecast beforehand and have all the required safety equipment necessary. The department also recommends the public take a free boating safety course that’s offered by the sheriff’s office to learn more about safe boating practices.  

More information can be found at http://www.bonnerso.org/marine/boater-education-safety/.