ONE MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE SAVES THREE LIVES

The history of the Whitson family
by Kyt Lyn Walken

Some stories, given the collation in ancient times, acquire little defined contours in our mind. We do not feel involved, there is no identification. Sometimes there is a lack of empathy for the victims, and also for the survivors.
If, on the other hand, the events belong to recent years, the opposite reaction is triggered in us.
“What if it happens to me?”. Knowing and understanding are part of our humanity.

Curtis Whinston (44), his 13-year-old son Hunter and Curtis’ partner Krystal Ramirez (34) are located in central California. It is the summer of 2019. It is hot, but that pleasant heat that makes California – especially the hinterland – particularly pleasant, as well as a destination for thousands of hikers.

The goal of the group is the waterfall of the Arroyo Seco River, whose path they follow. They know that, near the waterfall, they will find a rope from which to abseil to continue their journey to the next campsite.

They arrive at the point equipped with the rope, but not even the shadow of it. They evaluate the possibility of going back, but are unable to continue as the walls on their sides are 15 meters high. Descending into the waterfall is even more unthinkable: the volume of water is too large. All the three have to do is stay where they are and write a message for help, stuffed into their transparent water bottle.
“June 15, 2019. We are stuck here, at the waterfall. Please help us ”.

The hours begin to pass and the three of us can only trust that the bottle will arrive at its destination. And it arrives. After a few hours, the rescue teams sight the three and rescue them.
This is the first time such a thing has happened, comments a member of the rescue team.
This is the first time this has happened, and it works.

Was the Whitson family just lucky or did they also skilled at exploiting the resources at their disposal?
Try to empathize with their story and think about how you would have acted in their place.

Any object, in time of need, can be transformed into a means of salvation. Let us know, for example, how you would use Bivo’s packaging bags in the context of an emergency situation. We are curious about your answers and learn!

For those unfamiliar with Bivo and would like to try it, use the discount code “KYTWALKEN” to be entitled to a 10% discount on the first purchase!