PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUCEMENT from an old scout

I was down on pool 4 yesterday. Had a great time, didn’t fish the scour hole (about 75% did). I noticed a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
There were a number of boats with children in them who were not wearing PFD’s. This cannot continue. In 38 degree water, you would not be able to rescue a child that fell into the river. If you are an adult who is not currently a coast guard rescue swimmer in a dry suit (even they wear PFD’s) you WILL drown if you try to jump in after a child who has fallen into the river. If you are an adult who choses not to wear a PFD when fishing from a boat in cold water, I am not going to waste my time telling you what to do. As parents it is our sole purpose in life to protect our children. I don’t think one of us would even think about letting our child go down the road without a seat belt on. A PFD is no different.

You know who you are, please try to make better decisions in the future.

Could not agree more!!!!

Well said.

Go read Brian K’s recollection of Riverdans experience when he feel over at pool 4 years ago. Sobering ….I can almost feel the chills as I read it.

Funny they didn’t get a visit from an LEO.

PFD’s are require for youngsters.

I have to agree.

Anyone in a boat this time of year should be wearing one. Talked to a guy and his buddy that went in on Friday. Guy goes in without a life jacket on. Boat gets blown away. Guy in the boat is left to figure out how to start it and rescue his buddy.

Just like everyone else out there without a jacket on they had no plans on going in the water that day. Was never going to happen. Not in a million years. That is until it happened .

There are videos at the top of the ice fishing forum and mississippi river walleye forum with more info on cold water survival. Both have good info and good refreshers for this time of year.

Good reminder. Reminds me of a rule the ER docs taught me. The 50/50 rule.

When the water is 50 degrees or less there’s a 50/50 chance you can swim 50 feet. Unfortunately postmortem was the state of too many. A simple PFD and they’d still be above ground…

Absolutely they need life jackets! What were they thinking????

I can personally attest to barely being able swim back to the boat in 38 degree water as an adult on Leech lake May of 2009 I was 48 at the time. If you think you can, I suggest you go and give it a try and also think while your swimming back if you can rescue anyone else?

Does anyone remember a couple of years ago up by Bagley MN when I guy decided to take his three young (very young) sons out sailing in April? I believe 2 of the three boys died when he capsized the boat and could not save them. Very very tragic!

Found the link:

http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/61816/

I watched a guy set the hook a little to hard on pool 10 a few years ago the seat broke and he went out the boat backwards. He came up with a death grip on the seat. His buddy was able to get him back in the boat and head for the landing. When I got to the landing he was getting a change of clothing and going back out.

PFD’s should be worn in a river 365 days a year. I can attest it’s scary enough getting dunked in the middle of summer. In a river you are dealing with current and things under the water that could do you in. They call them snags for a reason. And you can be as cautious and barely moving, but one bump with the current can shift a boat fast enough to put you overboard.

The kids may have had their pfd under their jackets because they wouldn’t fit over winter jackets. If not their parents are idiots.

I agree totally. The cold water your done especially young children with less skill in swimming. Even an experienced swimmer this would be a tough task to handle.

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PFD’s should be worn in a river 365 days a year.

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On children.

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I watched a guy set the hook a little to hard on pool 10 a few years ago the seat broke and he went out the boat backwards. He came up with a death grip on the seat. His buddy was able to get him back in the boat and head for the landing. When I got to the landing he was getting a change of clothing and going back out.

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What an animal!

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Well said.

Go read Brian K’s recollection of Riverdans experience when he feel over at pool 4 years ago. Sobering ….I can almost feel the chills as I read it.

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Is there a link to this? I’d like to read it.

River Dan’s Story-by River Dan

If I knew the day I was going to fall out of my boat, I would just wear a PFD that day.

My brush with cold water-

Back in the 90’s I went muskie fishing the first week of November by myself(first mistake) I was wearing some cheap deer hunting bibs and I had on Lacrosse Ice kings.

I had just changed lures getting ready for a new pass and stepped back up to the bow, slipped and before I knew it was in the drink. Bad situation worse, I had the autopilot turned on. I was wearing a life jacket and truly think I may not have made it otherwise. Between the bibs and those massive boots I could hardly move, I managed to get the boots off all the while watching the boat slowly moving away. I was able to catch up and just held on for a bit before pulling myself in. I went straight to the access, beached the boat and just sat in my truck. I have never shaken that hard in my life. A sherrif came by and helped me load the boat and followed me home to make sure I made it safe.

I was in my thirties then and fairly fit, had a lifejacket on and still feel as though I barely made it out ok.

I’ve had people say they don’t wear a pfd because it looks silly

For whats it’s worth I had a Lund Angler and in the bow the sides are only about ten inches high.