He did lose hope for a little while and almost gave up, but around 10 p.m., Mixayboua said, he saw a helicopter flashing a light on some trees on one side of the lake, so he swam in that direction. He eventually reached the lights and was pulled up into a search and rescue boat around 11 p.m.

Once on the boat, he said, he couldn't walk and had to be carried to an area to lie down. He was then rushed to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, where doctors said he would remain until at least today.

Mixayboua wanted to leave the hospital Tuesday to help search for his missing friend. But his doctors insisted that he stay in the hospital.

"It's hard to just sit here, but what can you do?" he said.

After going through this experience, Mixayboua said that before he ever gets on another boat, he will first make sure he is wearing a life jacket. He said he is grateful to be alive.

"I guess somebody up there wants me to keep living," he said.

E-mail: slenz@desnews.com