Cold water Safety

Well if you have not read the thread on the main crappie fishing forum yet, the thread called, "I fell out of the boat today and..." you should. He is very lucky to be back on crappie.com telling his story with the extremely cold water temps we have out right now. I was reading 41 degree water saturday and you just don't function for long once your in that water temperature. Definately if you fish alone, you need to wear your life jackets.
Attached below is a link to a video about the effects of cold water on the body. Pretty interesting and informative. You may need a fast connection to watch it though. Basically it teaches you that you have a 500 percent higher chance of drowning when the temp is under 59 degrees and right now it's 41. I took one finger and held it in the water for a good many seconds saturday and you just cant imagine how cold that water is now, till you actually feel it. Please be careful while on the water in these temps. Take a friend if you can :D

YouTube - Cold Water Boot Camp

I worked at the Air Force Water Survival School for 2 years and have a lot of training in this field. In 40 degree water you have a max of 30 min before you are unconscious, depending on the person of course. In our age group, it will be lower. Yea we are older now...sorry. lol
As much as I was around it and taught it, I have been guilty of not wearing a PFD. Hopefully I can do better this season.

I saw a presentation by ,Mr Jim Duckworth , and he suggested to put a pair of insulated coveralls and 2 pair of wool socks and insulated socks in a bag in boat.If someone falls in get them striped down and out of wet clothes and put the coveralls on and wool socks with insulated socks on hands and feet and put whatever possible on head.I have been meaning to put these items in boat but just never have. Wont take up too much room.Might save your life or someone else.....Just a thought.

I agree trashtrout. It could save a life, maybe yours....

Might also be useful when you launch a boat that isn't tied to the trailer. Like I did. Good idea though, if not for yourself, someone near you. It's only a matter of minutes.

it 's kinda like when you least expect it,expect it.i know in the summer time we don't give falling out of the boat much thought,heck it will cool us off when it is hot,in the winter, on the water, by yourself and you fall out, you only have minutes to get out of the water. i would say alot of folks panic when they are alone on the water,so as everyone here has said lets all be careful and live to fish another day.