Man Spent 15 Hours Stranded in the Water After He Was Hurled from Jet Ski and Unable to Move

**Friends’ Jet Ski Adventure Turns into 15-Hour Ordeal**

A thrilling outing on rented jet skis turned into a desperate rescue mission for two friends in Long Beach, California, last month. The incident, which took place on August 16, saw Paul Carbullido Jr. survive a harrowing 15 hours adrift before being rescued by authorities.

Carbullido, 53, and his friend Donna Dubray, 47, set out for a late evening ride around 7 p.m. local time, unaware of a state law that prohibits the use of personal watercraft after sunset. They had been informed by the rental vendor that they had only an hour to enjoy the water, but this timeframe coincided with the rapidly fading light.

During their ride, Carbullido lost control and was thrown off his jet ski after speeding past the breakwater. Dubray attempted to help him but found herself unable to assist and ultimately could not restart her own jet ski. In a frantic bid for aid, she decided to swim back to shore, leaving Carbullido in the water alone.

Recalling the ordeal, Carbullido noted the terrifying thoughts that crossed his mind as he struggled to stay afloat. “I was telling myself, ‘What’s the best way to die? Should I just drown?’” he shared in an interview. The water was dark, and panic set in as he floated, grappling with fatigue and fear. “I didn’t even know what hit me,” he added.

Dubray swam for approximately an hour before she was spotted by a good Samaritan on another boat, who called emergency services after hearing her cries for help. Lifeguards quickly responded and successfully rescued her, but her immediate concern remained for Carbullido, who she believed was still stranded. “My friend, we need to save him, he’s still in the water!” she urged rescuers as she was taken to shore.

Efforts to locate Carbullido intensified overnight. Authorities found two jet skis in the area, but it wasn’t until the morning of August 17 that a Coast Guard helicopter spotted him floating on his back around 10:48 a.m. South of Seal Beach. He had managed to stay afloat in his life jacket, despite showing symptoms of hypothermia when he was located.

A Coast Guard official reported that Carbullido’s body temperature had dropped to 85 degrees, but he had survived largely due to the relatively warm water and the buoyancy of his life jacket. Upon signifying that he was alive by raising his head and waving to the rescuers, he was hoisted into the helicopter and subsequently taken to Long Beach Airport, where emergency personnel were awaiting his arrival.

This incident has reignited discussions about water safety and the critical importance of wearing life jackets while engaging in water sports. “It is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself,” stressed Lt. Cmdr. Jason Caprioli, the Coast Guard’s search and rescue mission coordinator for the Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach.

Critically, questions have emerged regarding the rental company, Airbnski, which provided the jet skis. Carbullido alleged that the vendor did not enforce regulations such as requiring a boater card or offering necessary training for the use of the watercraft. Airbnski, while stating that it had provided some training, did not elaborate further on the claims made by Carbullido.

As for Dubray, she expressed profound relief at her friend’s survival and conveyed gratitude towards the emergency responders who made their rescue possible. “The relief was so great, I just cried,” she recounted, elated that he was found safe.

The ordeal has served as a crucial reminder of the risks associated with water activities and the need for knowledge and preparation when engaging in such adventures. Both friends have emerged from the experience with an appreciation for their lives and a renewed understanding of the importance of safety measures in water sports.