The U.S. Coast Guard had to rescue multiple people across the Great Lakes over Easter weekend, one of those rescues happened close by in Kenosha.
The rescue was an Easter weekend miracle and Jay Garman says he's very thankful to still be alive after his kayak flipped and the afternoon nearly turned tragic.
"I was in a bad place," Garman said.
He was in distress with low water temperatures for about 40 minutes he says.
"That was freezing cold, I got some waves to hit me in the face and took me under a little bit and then I choked on the water, I was essentially drowning at that point and caused my lungs to hyperventilate," Garman said.
But luckily people on the beach called police and the U.S. Coast Guard was able to get there as fast as they could. The U.S. Coast Guard is warning people about cold water even when the temperatures are warm.
"Once you get on Lake Michigan, it’s very unpredictable; it can change in a heartbeat. We need you to dress for the water temperature and not the air temperature," said Kevin Chapman with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Something Garman says he'll remember for next time, his dry suit.
"It looks kind of stupid but it keeps you warm and alive, you always want to dress for the water temps and not the air temps and I foolishly made that mistake myself,” Garman said.
Garman plans to get back in the water later this week. But before that he says he has to get cleared first by his wife.
Be sure and watch TODAY'S TMJ4 on Roku! We are the only station in Milwaukee to provide the latest news, weather and sports on the device. Search for us on Roku today!
