PFD

This is an open letter to anyone/everyone. I have personally pulled 3 people from the cold, winter water of pool 2. They had all gone into the water in the blink of an eye. None of them were wearing a pfd. The first 2, I only stumbled upon after their accident and I was only witness to their panic as I tried to reach them before they slipped under. The 3rd time was just recently. I was in the boat with him. He had set down his rod to attend to something else. The lure snagged and began to drag his rod and reel over the gunwale. As he jumped up and reached for it, he moved quickly past the point of balance and slid into the water over the gunwale. The current and wind began to separate us as I tried to reach for him. I had never piloted his boat but I figured the trolling motor was my first and best chance to reach him. The trolling motor was woefully under powered for the boat in this situation with the current and wind. I went to the outboard and began to attempt to start the engine. Being totally unfamiliar with the outboard and with my mind in near panic as he called my name from an ever increasing distance, I struggled to find the start button with no success. I spotted his pfd and not knowing if it was automatic or not, I pulled the in flatter. It billowed open and I slung it with all my might only to have the wind blow it back toward me. I thought of the flotation cushion but it was in the front of the boat and the wind had separated us to the point that I did not know if my throw would be able to reach him. I returned to the gas motor and forced myself to focus my mind and gain some lucidity. My eyes searched frantically for anything that resembled a starter. And then I saw it, a small black button below the cowling. It was the starter and I pulled the shifter to forward as soon as it came to life. I looked up to find that now only his head was above water. When I reached him,the water was just under his chin as I grabbed his arms. We moved the boat toward shore where he could touch bottom and with him pushing up and me lifting with all my strength, his torso came over the gunwale followed by his legs in single fashion as his bibs where full of water and beyond heavy. Although I never used a watch to check the time it took for everything to occur, my mind made it seem like forever but in reality it was 1-2 minutes at most. We headed back to the ramp and some how he never experienced any hypothermia. Even though the end result was good, I can still hear his fearful cry calling my name. I’am haunted with the fact that through my false attempts he may have drown and I would have to live with that for the remainder of my life. This sounds selfish, but please don’t subject anyone you know to a situation similar to this. Make sure some else in your boat knows how to operate vital equipment. Wear a pfd. The inflatable type are very unobtrusive and you won’t even notice it after a bit. If you think you don’t need one, then please, fish alone.

Quote:

---

The inflatable type are very unobtrusive and you won’t even notice it after a bit.

---

In the cold water you won’t notice your NOT wearing one “in a little bit” too.

huh

Pretty sure BK meant you won’t notice much when you’re dead.

Spooky story there Arnie. Glad to hear it turned our ok.

-J.

Thanks for sharing that. Very scary situation and Im glad the outcome was what it was.

I think like your fishing partner many of us that do wear life jackets can get complacent after many years of no incidents. Hasnt happened to me, wont happen to me.

This will get me to take a second look at safety in my boat and what we are doing.

Freedom,

The ability to make a mistake, get hurt, make a bad decision, etc.

I have been knocked out of my boat before and tossed into a snag on the MN River (WOW that happened fast LOL) and i have ran a canoe through class 3 rapids in 35 degree water nearly drowning, I’ve canoed amongst ice flow and within yards of downstream covered ice.

Ya know what, i had fun and remember them all. Oh the things you learn when you make a mistake. Yes, some mistakes you cannot walk away from.

It’s great to promote safety. It’s another thing to make it a requirement.

Every minnesotan should know that a lifejacket will make you float. Please let us keep the right to choose whether to wear it or not for adults.

Go ahead and keep yourself safe. Please stop worrying about the rest of us.

I don’t think anyone has made mention of making it a law?

The law of common sense ,is more important than, a pain in the pocket book law. Thats why I bought a belt inflatable PFD this winter as I fish a lot of times by my self and rarely wear my PFD when casting.
Stan

Quote:

---

I have been knocked out of my boat before and tossed into a snag on the MN River (WOW that happened fast LOL) and i have ran a canoe through class 3 rapids in 35 degree water nearly drowning, I’ve canoed amongst ice flow and within yards of downstream covered ice.

Ya know what, i had fun and remember them all.

---

Some people have a different idea of fun I guess.

Sounded to me like the original poster here was just trying to share an experience and remind everyone that rivers and cold water can produce life threatening situations. I guess I didn’t see the part where he was pushing to make wearing pfd’s a requirement.

Quote:

---

It’s great to promote safety.

---

Quote:

---

Go ahead and keep yourself safe. Please stop worrying about the rest of us.

---

Both statements in the same post…very confusing

Considering there’s been about 50 posts on life jackets and ice safety lately, maybe its time for a poll.

I think we should make it a law.

Thanks for the post Distraction.

I’ve been a 99.5% full time PFD wearer since I had my daughter 30 some years ago. I agree with the way the inflatables are made now days, people forget they are wearing them. I know this is true because I’ve had more then one client try to leave while wearing my PFD’s…. one I had to call on the phone to bring back.

If we are going to make a law, let’s just make it illegal to fall out of our boats unexpectedly.

Scary story, pray I never have that occur! Once early fall arrives, the inflatable pfd never comes off, even over my heavy Frabilll ice fishing gear, they don’t interfere. One thing I have learned is to keep the bottom of the boat floor clear of anything…tackle boxes, rods, nets, etc. Any time, especially at night with low light, they are huge tripping hazards. Even while wearing a head lamp, it is surprising how many times one moves around in the boat without looking down. Last year, I added led strip lights on a rheostat switch under the entire gunwale. Even on the lowest setting, it will cast just enough light to see everything on the floor without ruining your night vision. One close trip and almost going over myself, sure puts the importance of always wearing the pfd and having some extra safety floor lighting at night.

Thanks for sharing your story. Hopefully it can save a life!

Quote:

---

I think we should make it a law.

---

I’m a fan of darwinism.

Yikes