I was taking pictures at Starved Rock yesterday when I slipped on the wet sandstone and fell into a lagoon. I managed to keep my camera dry for about a minute until my backpack with all my other camera gear filled with water and started to drag me down. The water was over my head so I couldn't stand. I was able to flip over on my back and managed to stay afloat, but at the expense of my camera.
I was able to stay afloat and shout for help until a guy who was with his family jumped in and pulled me to shallow water. Once I got out I opened my backpack and dumped the water out of it. Everything was waterlogged. All in all, a Canon 50D, two L series lenses, flash, my CF cards and all the little stuff you keep in a camera bag was ruined. And you know what? I don't care because I am here to talk about it
It was a hell of a day and I ended up in a pair of 2XL swim trunks and a hoodie for the drive home! Thank God for that guy and his family.