Per Helge Bakkejord (46) is exceptionally fond of canoes. So happy that he has built his own. But at the end of May, things were going wrong when he went out to put fishing gear in the sea. It was Bladet Vesterålen who first mentioned the case. After being surprised by a big wave, the canoe overturned with Per Helge in it. – I desperately tried to get the canoe ashore again, because it is my child of the heart. I wandered around for 15 minutes before I realized that there was no strength left, he says to news. While the drama unfolded, her daughter Nora stood on land and watched her father end up in the sea. Despite the fact that he was wearing a life jacket, the waves washed over Bakkejord. – The last thing I had time to think was that I had ended up under water, and that I was done. Then it turned black, he says. THE HOME TEAM: Per Helge Bakkejord has spent a lot of time making his own canoe. Photo: Private Found lifeless in the sea Per Helge has been told the rest of the story afterwards. – Out in the fjord, they found me lifeless. The doctors estimate that I have had a cardiac arrest for 15 minutes and a body temperature of 20.5 degrees. I lay in the ocean for about 40 minutes in six degrees. But he is aware that he can thank his resourceful daughter for being alive today. She understood the seriousness of the situation and called her mother and explained what had happened. Then a major rescue operation was launched, with an air ambulance and local assistance from my best friend’s boat. Severe hypothermia When they got Per Helge out of the water, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated, but there were still no signs of life. He was transported to the University Hospital of Northern Norway (UNN). – Basically, I was “dead” for almost an hour. But thanks to being so chilled, I survived. The body temperature of 20.5 degrees corresponds to severe hypothermia. According to Store Medisinske Leksikon, humans can survive body temperatures below 15 degrees in the most extreme cases. After 24 hours, the 46-year-old was awakened from a coma – without serious injuries or permanent injuries. – The doctors did not really understand that it worked. It is completely inconceivable that one manages to wake up after this to be completely normal. – So you’ve had a real angel guard? – Yes, and a little more! Now he is eternally grateful that his daughter sounded the alarm when the accident happened. – She’s ten years old. She could have gone into shock, but she handled this perfectly. So I’m a pretty proud dad. The accident happened in Forfjorden in Vesterålen, furthest north in Nordland. Good thing she did not jump into the water herself On Wednesday, Nora received a diploma from the Rescue Company as a result of the effort. – We want to thank her for her heroic efforts. We have done this by giving a diploma as a symbol that she contributes to the father not drowning, says regional manager Kristine Lind-Olsen in the Rescue Company. – She was resourceful and reported correctly to her mother, who again got 113. She also praises Nora for not jumping into the water herself. – Feel free to try to get a rope or a pole, but do not go out into the water yourself to save. It can have fatal consequences. AWARD: Per Helge Bakkejord, daughter Nora and regional leader in the north Kristine Lind-Olsen in Redningsselskap. Photo: Fredrik Sørensen / Bladet Vesterålen 33 drowning accidents so far this year Spring and summer are high season for drowning accidents. In May, five people died, while in June, six died. These are the lowest numbers in many years, according to Redningsselskap. Nevertheless, 33 people have lost their lives in the water so far this year. – It is men aged 50-60 who top the statistics. It is falls from the quay and boat that are one of the big reasons, says Lind-Olsen. She says that the most important step to avoid drowning is to wear a life jacket. – We encourage you to use it, even if you are in a large and closed boat. Has learned lessons Five weeks after the incident, Bakkejord was back in his canoe. But he has got a real thought-provoking, he says. – Last weekend I paddled in Målselva and then I took lots of risk assessments. I have become more observant. His best tip if the accident is out first is not to panic. – And remember life jackets!
ttn-69
Per Helge was dead for almost an hour after a canoe overturned at Andøya in Vesterålen – news Nordland
