A getaway to a secluded cabin in Kentucky for a group of women nearly turned disastrous when two octogenarians were unable to get out of a hot tub on their own, rescuers reported on Friday.
While enjoying a soak at a cabin in the Red River Gorge area in southeastern Kentucky earlier this month, the two seniors found themselves stuck in the tub due to existing health conditions, according to the Wolfe County Search and Rescue Team (WSCART), as mentioned in a statement on their website.
The rescuers explained that the pair lost consciousness in the hot water after suffering from hyperthermia, a situation where the body temperature becomes excessively high and struggles to regulate.
A third member of the group entered the hot tub to support their heads above the water, while a fourth member urgently dialed 911 for assistance, per the rescue team.
Both women began to show signs of recovery after 20 to 30 minutes of cold-water immersion. EMS then transferred the women to a local hospital.
No details were immediately provided about the women’s pre-existing issues.
WSCART noted this incident serves as a “cautionary and educational” reminder, advising the public that a safe duration for soaking in hot tubs is typically between 15 and 30 minutes.
The rescue team advised users to “be sure you can leave the hot tub on your own before entering, particularly if you have any disabilities. Hyperthermia and heatstroke are potentially deadly, and this situation could have had a tragic outcome if not for the swift actions of everyone involved in the rescue.”
