When things can go bad in a hurry

[Amx]

That'll work, but I've HEARD that the air in the waders will act like a bobber and turn you upside down.

[rickydbasser]

Like I said, I never had to try out my theory. But I guess that also reiterates the importance of a life vest which would make the upper half of the body buoyant also.

[racfish]

At my age of 59 years old I know Im not a strong swimmer.I wear my 2 life jackets always. I wear my inflatable under and my Stearns over. I wear my inflatable on docks too. Im not embarresed to wear a PFD. I find most people say I dont need to wear one. I wear it on charter boats even. I fell off my toon one day just crossing Andrews Bay. I could not get back on the toon till I got to shore. After kicking my way to shore I was getting weaker and then panic set in. PFD's are made to wear not sit in your boat. Thank the good lord that on my toon I was wearing a life jacket. Without it I would be crayfish bait. Im sorry to hear about your misfortune but .........

[fear_no_fish]

I myself am guilty of not wearing a life jacket most of the time. I wore one 24/7 when I was younger now I almost never do. I am almost never alone on the water so I don't feel as bad about it but that is a pretty lame excuse to not wear one. After reading this thread I may just get an inflatable to wear here really soon. I hope everyone who reads this thread takes a couple minutes to reread what rickydbasser said and really think about it.

Looking back, thinking I was secure in having a life jacket in the boat was so asinine. Fishing alone, if I fell in, which I obviously did, how was I planning on getting to my life jacket, which could only be accessed by being in the boat? But let's say my life jacket was within reach while I clung to the side of the boat. Then I would have had to put it on. It is difficult to fathom how quickly one's strength is sapped from a body dressed in water-soaked clothing. And attempting to put on a life jacket while these water-soaked clothes are pulling you down is no easy task. I know. I tried unsuccessfully to simply let go of the boat and take off my coat and immediately sank like a rock. That was when I actually thought that might be it. I was going to drown. It literally took all my remaining strength to struggle back to the surface and grab the boat's edge. Forget about getting back in the boat, that is when I went into just surviving mode, and straddled my outboard's whale tail and just hung on for dear life. Bottom line, get an easy-to-wear and comfortable inflatable life jacket, and just wear it. I bought mine at Sportco in Fife for $90.00. Do you think your life is worth that much? Obviously, I didn't.

[Bodofish]

That'll work, but I've HEARD that the air in the waders will act like a bobber and turn you upside down.

Just another reason to wear a PFD when in waders. Although I've never found going upside down to be a problem and yes I have tested the theory, I'm not embarrassed to say I've fallen down with my waders on. I've also tested the theory of cutting ones cloths, rain gear, hippers, chest waders away to swim free. It won't happen, you can't do it. It would take a huge amount training and discipline to pull it off and even then.....
I was knocked from the back deck of a purse seiner with raingear on while hauling gear. I bobbed back to the surface exactly once. I had a very sharp deck knife attached to the bib of my rain pants and I can tell you 100% it didn't even come close to coming out of the sheath. I was very lucky my mates hooked me and pulled me back to the boat.

[swb69]

Glad that you are OK. I hope people read this and learn so they don't have to learn it your way. I had a close call after buying a bass boat. I never wore a pfd in a boat even though I don't know how to swim. I've owned a boat for over 20 years but thought nothing bad could happen because I made sure to be careful while out. I always said "I am not going to do something that will put me in the water". One of the first times out with the bass boat changed that. It was Memorial weekend and cold, windy, and drizzling. Nothing to bad, but the boat deck and seats were wet and slick. A small wave and a miss step and I went down. I tried to catch myself by grabbing the front fishing seat but my hands slipped off. "Luckily" I landed on the trolling motor which stopped me from going over. Ever since then I always wear a life vest no matter the temp. or conditions.

I've heard several people say that a life vest won't save you but will only help to find the body in cold water. In cold water with a pfd you can last quite awhile, as much as an hour,(hopefully long enough to be found) depending on water temp. Without it you won't last but a few minutes. The cold will take away your strength extremely fast and you wont be able to stay afloat, and as far as I know nobody can breathe under water. A vest will also help keep your body temp up.

I used to work on the Snake river at a county park for a few years and not one year went by that someone didn't drown. It happens at all times of the year and in all weather conditions. Even if you are a young strong swimmer. I always thought it was because they were screwing around, but It doesn't matter how careful you are. It only takes one little mistake or a wave to get you off balance and it could be all over. Have fun, be safe, and always wear a pfd.

[rickydbasser]

It was a week to the day since my accident that I returned to American Lake. This time I was wearing my new inflatable PFD. It was so light and comfortable, I forgot I was wearing it. Great investment, and something I strongly recommend to those who only have the old style PFDs. And on top of that, I caught my biggest smallmouth for this year. 4-2.

[racfish]

Thats called good Karma.

[FlyGirl]

Ok...no cutting the waders!!! So glad the return trip was more enjoyable!!! I think you have reminded us all of a very valuable lesson.

[FishingFool]

Late to the party, but glad you're doing alright ricky. Would miss your reports.

I also am guilty of not wearing my PFD and I'm not a good swimmer either. I typically don't wear it during the hot summer days, but when it's cold out, I will wear it.