CASE SUMMARY

	SYNOPSIS	
V1 was a personal watercraft (PWC), that hit a wake ejecting operator and Occupant.  While attempting to get back to the PWC, operator slipped out of his personal floatation device (PFD).  operator was under water for an extended amount of time before being recovered and transported to Fort Walton Beach Medical. operator expired while in the Emergency Room of Fort Walton Beach Medical.

Through interviews, officers found that the operator had undone his PFD for comfort. The victims life jacket was found with only the top strap buckled.  The bottom strap was intact but unfastened.  An inspection of the buckle showed no apparent damage. The distance between buckles was 50" measured along the strap around the back.  The middle strap was intact but unfastened.  An inspection of the buckle showed no apparent damage. The distance between buckles was 54" measured along the strap around the back.  I attached the strap, pulled and jerked on the strap and it stayed connected. I then attempted to get the buckle to release with a load on it and it stayed connected. 
 
	ACCIDENT ANALYSIS

Operator and Occupant departed rental location and headed east along the Ft Walton Beach buoy line at an estimated speed of 50MPH.  At Approximately 4:55 PM V1 hit a wake from an unknown vessel.  V1 then struck a second wake ejecting both operator and occupant. 

ACCIDENT (Collision) - While attempting get back to the V1 operator slipped out of an improperly buckled PFD and went under.  Despite efforts to assist him by the occupant he could not keep his head above water.
DESTIN