Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Water safety

Ok guys and girls. I've had to do two drowning recoveries in the past week. So please if you plan on doing any boating the rest of the summer, WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET! Nobody plans on drowning. A fisherman jumped in to try to save two boys swimming in a river and drowned, and another was a young man who fell out of a boat while moving across open water. Both these men had loved ones who will miss them and depended on them. So don't be a victim, put your kids and yourself in a life jacket if your on a boat or swimming in deep water. Look into an inflatable life jacket they are more costly but they will keep you cooler and are great for cruising the lake in that new boat.

Thanks for listening, and be safe this holiday.

Totally agree. I was on an aborted offshore trip the other week. I can't swim so I bring my own vest and wear it all the time. Captain hadn't seen that in many years.

Even if you can swim what happens if you hit your head while falling out.... or have an MI etc.... somethign you could survive except in the process you drowned.

Anyone that steps foot on my airboat wears one period. I"ve been stopped by more than a few wardens, who, to the last one, once they see we are all wearing vests, wave us on with a thanks and be careful, not checking anything else.

Also a pet peeve... vests and throwables if you just can't wear one, don't do a damn bit of good in a duffle bag under the deck. When you need em, you need em now...

Jeff

Wife and I both use the inflatables, but I re-arm them every other year. Not worth the risk in my book.

Great reminder. Thanks

Hard, fast, rule on my boat. When the big motor is running, the life jackets are on, and the kill switch connected. Period.

Don't know the statistics, but drownings, and near drownings are pretty common.

I nearly drowned in the Atlantic about 40 years ago and was saved by my aunt. My brother went under in our swimming pool nearly 30 years ago and was saved by the same aunt. Last summer my 5 year old daughter went under in my sister's pool and was nabbed by my oldest nephew who jumped in, cellphone and all, to grab her.

Most of my examples are swimming pool situations, but my point here is to back ups butler's advice. It happens a lot. Put 'em on!

Also a pet peeve... vests and throwables if you just can't wear one, don't do a damn bit of good in a duffle bag under the deck. When you need em, you need em now...

Jeff [/quote]

Very true if you go down they do no good locked in a compartment. This goes for fire extinguishers to.

Staying sober is never a bad idea either.

Right now if you fell out of a boat round here you're more likely to end up poached than drowning but agree with the OP.

Went kayaking last weekend. River never got deeper than 30 inches and spend most of the time under 20. EVERYONE wore PFD's the whole trip.

Wasn't about the danger but the habit.