Oceanside Rescue

knifeonwater · Joined: 25 May 2000 Posts: 51

Does anybody have any info on the windsurfer that was rescued by the Coast Guard at Oceanside on Sunday? His name is Neil and I think he lives in Portland. The paramedics on site said he was "unresponsive" when pulled from the water, but the Tillamook paper called it a rescue. Great news, but they had no other info; what happened, condition, etc... Hoping he is all
right.

ramps · Joined: 07 May 2000 Posts: 94

Neal Lamanna. It happened Sunday 06/07/15. Neal's wife noticed that he was sailing way out and then could no longer see him, so she called 911. The Coast Guard said that he was conscious and clinging to his board when they rescued him but once in the chopper became unresponsive. they worked him over pretty good doing CPR. He was Life Flighted to Tillamook General where they got him breathing somewhat on his own and then transferred him to Emmanuel Hospital. There was a lot of sea water in his lungs so he has some bleeding in them, but now he is outpacing the ventilator and his organs are getting stronger. He is heavily sedated and having seizures, which the neurologist says indicates some "irritation" of the brain tissues, but they have found a medication that controls them. they have been keeping his body temperature low to help with the brain healing, and last night (Monday) they were going to start gradually raising his body temperature.
His best friends have been with him and we all along and are hoping and praying for a full recovery. Please join us with your prayers or your positive energy transmission of choice to help him pull through.

merriam2 · Joined: 25 Oct 2013 Posts: 33

knifeonwater · Joined: 25 May 2000 Posts: 51

Ramps, thanks for the update. It sounds like he is improving. My prayers are with Neal and his family for a full recovery. Please keep me posted. My name is Steve and I have sailed Oceanside with Neal several times over the years.

ramps · Joined: 07 May 2000 Posts: 94

You bet. Dunno about the SIPE possibility, but they did have to go into the lungs and remove a bunch of fluid and other crud. He still has tubes draining his lungs and the fluid still has blood in it, which I think is a result of the intense CPR that was administered. We really won't know anything about his brain until they start taking him off the sedatives. If anyone can come back from this, Neal can. My name is Rich, BTW.

markl759 · Joined: 01 Jul 2004 Posts: 7

Ramps, thanks for posting. My name is Mark, I sail at oceanside a lot. My prayers are with Neil and his family as well.

AfterDarkMark · Joined: 03 Oct 2011 Posts: 17

It sure is distressing when a fellow windsurfer encounters overwhelming difficulties - my best wishes and my prayers go out to Neal for healing and a full recovery! I was also windsurfing at Oceanside when Neal went missing and witnessed the response on the bluff from Netarts Fire & Rescue. Thankyou folks! It is sad to be there and be part of the scene, knowing a member of your tribe is down, but hopefully not out. It could easily be any one of us. I've been there - breakdown at sea, had the helicopter looking for me, etc. After I learned of the situation on Sunday, I was keeping an extra sharp lookout when I went back out, but figured anyone in trouble would be long south by Netarts Bay by that time. Then I noticed the Coast Guard helicopter searching the area - that was a relief! After seeing them sweeping the main sailing area a bit, the C.G. worked their way south where I understand they eventually found Neal near the bay entrance. Thank goodness they got to him in time and he was still alive (barely)! All of us coastal sailors know how damn cold and rough that water is, and how quickly things can get dangerous. (see the wave smacking me in photo below). So a big shout out to the Coast Guard - THANKYOU for what you do, and Neal, you get better soon man! Hope you're back out with us in the waves this summer. Included below are two photos my girlfriend Callie took last Sunday that happened to catch the helicopter doing its search pattern. Y'all take care out there.

isobars · Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20935

The CG's quick response is highly impressive, given the barrage of calls they get from tourists demanding an immediate rescue whenever they see a WSer fall into the water. "No, you don't understand, Officer. He fell OFF HIS SAILBOARD INTO THE OCEAN. He'll drown in minutes if you don't save him immediately."

Sheesh. Those guys earn their pay and my respect more every day.

ramps · Joined: 07 May 2000 Posts: 94

Update: Neal is about the same, they are trying to deal with the seizures he has been having. We are still hopeful for a recovery, and if anyone can come back from this he can. The Coast Guard has been calling his wife asking about him, even their big chief phoned her. Those are some caring people out there, extremely refreshing - gives one some hope for humanity after all.

knifeonwater · Joined: 25 May 2000 Posts: 51

Come on Neal!!! We have a place in Netarts, the locals are great so I was not surprised by the way they handled things. They all take the ocean and it's dangers VERY seriously. Very cool of the Coast Guard to reach out.