Friendly reminder guys

[Delawareriver]

With some lakes still open and we move into spring with more lakes opening up and more guys venturing out with their boats. Really anytime the boat is under power but especially during the cold water periods to wear life jackets.

Yesterday two guys I know from Arkansas were test driving a 16ft John boat. From what I've heard some how the motor kicked to one side throwing them into the water. Witnesses saw at least one guy trending water for 2-3 minutes before disappearing under the water. Both guys have yet to be found so it's not likely either made it to shore. Things happen fast and usually when you least expect it. I know on my boat I make my friends wear life jackets when we are under power, if they don't like it they can stay at the truck but I will not be responsible for an accident that could have been prevented. Stay safe guys and girls

[Eskimo]

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Quality post Delawareriver.

At these water temperatures, you only have a few minutes before you're over-taken by hypothermia and lose the ability to swim. (Think of the ending of the movie Titanic.)

Here is a hypothermia chart that approximates how long you will be able to stay conscious in the water at a given temperature.
http://www.sheboyganyachtclub.com/as...sion_Chart.pdf

[jimmythegreek]

I fish solo 90% of the time and I invested in auto-inflatables when they were on sale for 100ish from bassproshops. People dont realize that most accidents result in ejections from the boat and if you hit your head or are knocked out you will drown and die. The autos inflate and roll you over so your head is above water and can breathe, it will save your life for 100 bucks. I wear it underpower even in the summer, but always in the coldwater fishing season, hypothermia is a killer and it takes minutes to get you

[Delawareriver]

Yep, the inflatables are very nice now days, can't even tell you are wearing them. It can happen. To anyone at anytime these two guys were in their upper 20s were in shape and had lots of boating experience. Definitely not the kind of guys you would worry about on the water yet it happened. No one is invincible on the water

[jimmythegreek]

thats such a shame for those 2 guys and their families. young and lots of life left in them cut short just trying to enjoy a day of fishing.......sucks to think it can happen to anyone.....be safe out there and wear your picks NO MATTER HOW THICK THE ICE IS!!

[gnuisance]

Originally Posted by jimmythegreek

thats such a shame for those 2 guys and their families. young and lots of life left in them cut short just trying to enjoy a day of fishing.......sucks to think it can happen to anyone.....be safe out there and wear your picks NO MATTER HOW THICK THE ICE IS!!

I wear the picks just like everyone else. Has anyone actually ever had to use them? How effective are they for pulling you out of a hole?

Originally Posted by Delawareriver

With some lakes still open and we move into spring with more lakes opening up and more guys venturing out with their boats. Really anytime the boat is under power but especially during the cold water periods to wear life jackets.

Yesterday two guys I know from Arkansas were test driving a 16ft John boat. From what I've heard some how the motor kicked to one side throwing them into the water. Witnesses saw at least one guy trending water for 2-3 minutes before disappearing under the water. Both guys have yet to be found so it's not likely either made it to shore. Things happen fast and usually when you least expect it. I know on my boat I make my friends wear life jackets when we are under power, if they don't like it they can stay at the truck but I will not be responsible for an accident that could have been prevented. Stay safe guys and girls

Delaware,

GREAT post, one that many people wouldn't take the time to make. Bad things can happen in general but the water this time of year isn't nearly as forgiving or forgiving at all. Takes no more than a few seconds to put the odds in your favor in the event of a freak accident, better to be prepared than sorry. We all know of stories where a life vest could have made the difference between a tragic ending and just a bad day on the water, none of us are that good or proud where wearing a life vest wouldn't be the advisable thing to do. Again Delaware thanks for the post, it's a topic all of us stand to benefit from an occasional reminder or two throughout the season! I hope the story you shared about your two friends has a better ending than what it appears, in the event it doesn't my condolences to you and their families for their loss. Everyone be safe out there as winter continues trying to make ups it's mind how warm or cold it's going to be.

Dakota

[shrimpman steve]

Great advice. Fresh or salt. Summer or winter.

Sorry you lost friends!