From NPS Incidents:
...the assistant manager of a local water sports
company and considered an expert kite boarder, was last seen by
bystanders in distress 30 yards offshore. He was not wearing a any kind
of personal floatation device. One of the bystanders attempted to swim
to his aid but was unable to reach him. A call was made to 911 and the
park, Hatteras Island Rescue Squad and the Coast Guard all responded.
Rangers conducted patrols of the shoreline, while Hatteras Island Rescue
conducted searches via jet ski in the area. Personnel from the latter
found Jackson’s board. The Coast Guard conducted open water searches
via a 47-foot motor lifeboat, helicopter and C-130 and found Jackson’s
kite in the ocean about three miles offshore and southwest of his last
known location. Rangers and the Coast Guard continued searches into the
night and through the day Monday, covering an area within a 30 mile
radius from the point last seen....
PFDs are the equivalent of body armor - no matter how good you are, they'll still save you, but you have to wear them. It's also what your glint/SOLAS tape/strobe/smoke/dye marker will be attached to. You are small, and the ocean is large and 10-14 foot waves make it even larger. Signaling devices are no guarantee you'll be found, but they sure increase the odds.
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