RedactedNarrative: Ap approximately 1:00 P.M. Operator and Occupant were paddling a canoe down the Quiska Chitto River in Allen Parish when the canoe capsized. According to both of them, Occupant was struggling to stay afloat and Operator attempted to assist Occupant. Occupant pulled Operator under the water several times during which Operator inhaled water. When Operator was pulled from the water he began to vomit a dark colored substance appearing to be blood. Operator became lethargic and had trouble breathing and 911 was called. First Responders extracted Operator from the River and he was air lifted to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital. Neither Operator or Occupant were wearing their PFD, but they did have them in the vessel with them. Both stated that they had consumed alcoholic beverages most of the morning. Both Operator and Occupant said they had limited experience of operating canoes. 
   
  Operator inexperience is the primary cause of the canoe capsizing when they hit a submerged object. Neither Occupant or Operator could tell if the object they hit was submerged or not. Operator inattention was the secondary contributing factor. Alcohol use was the tertiary factor that the canoe capsized as well, canoes take balance to keep them afloat. The admission of alcohol use by both subjects shows that their lack of balance, caused by the alcohol consumption, was a factor in the capsizing of the canoe. Occupant knew he was not a strong swimmer, yet he did not have a personal floatation device (PFD) on. After the vessel capsized, putting both operators in the water, the fact that Occupant did not have a PFD on was contributing factor in why Operator inhaled water causing him to begin vomiting and eventually vomiting blood. 
   