Thread: Something to think about....

Wear you PFD whether it's uncomfortable or not, get an inflatable. I work offshore and have to take Helicopter Underwater Egress Training (HUET) evey 3 years. It's a all day class and part of it is you have tread water for 5 minutes. That's the hardest part there. If you've never tried it next time you're in the pool or swimming anywhere give it a try. In my twenties it was fairly easy, add 30 years & 40 lbs and it's very hard. Next time you're in the middle of the lake ask yourself if you can swim that far! Wives want there husbands and kids need their daddy to come back home. Not to make the evening news.

I normally drag a rope out back, it hasn't got in the way so far. But just for general information, a old Navy trick, if you wearing jeans, drop your shoes off ASAP, shuck the jeans then tie each leg in a knot, button and zip them then slap the open end from above your head down into the water filling the legs with air. This is not as easy as just wearing a PFD, but it will save you in a bind. You panic, you die, simple as that.

Originally Posted by Blacklandlure

You panic, you die, simple as that.

100% correct...
Try floating on your back, swim a little, then float on back to rest...repeat. you'll be ok if you don't panic..

Chairman, Tri State Crappie Anglers
Driftmaster's Pro Staff

Example:
Using the techniques he had learned during combat water survival training, LCpl Mayo made a flotation device out of his coveralls and tried to relax. Meanwhile, business contin- ued as usual aboard the USS America. [...]

After 34 hours at sea, LCpl Mayo was discovered by fisher- men on a Pakistani fishing boat.

Would like to see Minn kota put a water sensor on remote that kills motor...

Chairman, Tri State Crappie Anglers
Driftmaster's Pro Staff

Most believe it is a good idea to wear a lifejacket while you are sitting down in the boat with a kill switch attached and the outboard running.
But it's ok not to wear a lifejacket while you are running around up on the decks without a kill switch and the Terrova pulling you at 2 mph?
I talked to a ranger last year that liked best the part of the lifejacket rule pertaining to swimmers of un anchored boats. It seems when everyone in the boat dives in to cool off the wind quickly blows your boat away.
I can imagine my fat arse trying to catch a boat cruising at 2mph with 5 crankbaits dragging behind it!

Wear auto inflatible pfd.If you are out of it and fall overbd it will inflate in less than 30 sec.

Originally Posted by Blacklandlure

Example:
Using the techniques he had learned during combat water survival training, LCpl Mayo made a flotation device out of his coveralls and tried to relax. Meanwhile, business contin- ued as usual aboard the USS America. [...]

After 34 hours at sea, LCpl Mayo was discovered by fisher- men on a Pakistani fishing boat.

Had to make floatation out of blue jeans and float on it for a period of time to recieve one of the Merit Badges in Scouts, coarse there aint many Scouts now a days.