To dennishoddys point, check out the 45 degree cold water training vid at the 3:05 to 3:25 mark. The trainer makes a enlightening statement. Cold Water Survival – The 1-10-1 Rule « Coast Guard Auxiliary Live
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To dennishoddys point, check out the 45 degree cold water training vid at the 3:05 to 3:25 mark. The trainer makes a enlightening statement. Cold Water Survival – The 1-10-1 Rule « Coast Guard Auxiliary Live
Very informative post Fishers!!
It was a helpful but sobering video and article Fishers. As safe as I feel in the big water Lund I believe I will start wearing my life jacket again. Thanks for posting that.
Three examples of people whom I have seen in freezing water:
1. When ice fishing in Montana (20 below zero), a guy walked over to a large concrete piling (encased in iron to prevent the ice from breaking up the concrete) to light a cigarette. The sun had warmed the iron and made the ice soft, and he went through, catching himself by his elbows. His buddies pulled him out immediately, before the water totally penetrated his snowmobile suit and the layers underneath. They took him over to their pickup truck, but couldn't get him in, as his suit was frozen solid. Another guy took down the back seat in his station wagon, and they slid him in. He was fine.
2. Years later, I took a co-worker to Montana for fishing and hunting. He got four species of fish, four species of birds, a mule deer buck, and a bull elk. But in the first minute of the first day, a fish pulled his pole out of the rocks and into the icy water at Canyon Ferry Lake. He dove in and came up with the pole and fish. I said: "Hop in the truck". He responded with: "I'm O..O..K". and started shaking like crazy. Fortunately, the truck was right there, and it was still warm. We went back to town, changed clothes, and came back to catch quite a few rainbows.
3. At Lake Hefner (ice along the edges and on the riprap), my son-in-law came out to float tube (his first time in a tube). Four of us were already out at the tower fishing as he started to get in. He stepped down, right next to a large concrete block that flipped him over upside down into the water. He was able to scramble out before we could get over to help him. He was immediately shaking uncontrollably, but we got him home, changed clothes, and helped him get into the water when we got back to the lake. (We slayed the crappie).
Moral: It's a good idea to have a partner/partners in case you need help. Not that I haven't gone out alone many times.
That was the best video i have seen posted on CDC. with so many of us fishing the winter months, you must know!! We need everyone to watch this!
Good video Fishers.
He was found on shore this morning. Made it up a bank and into the woods. He died on his back with his arms outstretched.
Died from hypothermia.
2X What at Ledge said!!
Great video Fishers
That sucks!Quote:
Originally Posted by dennishoddy
3X what Ledge said
Very sad. Several of my family and friends always carry a waterproof tube with matches and some kind of flammable material. Wonder if something like that could have saved him. The video above says that hypothermia won't take you out until at least a half hour. That would probably have given him enough time to get a fire going. Prayers for their families at this time.Quote:
Originally Posted by dennishoddy
1-10-1 Good to know. Thanks.
I think everything was wet that day, but makes me want to keep a propane torch with electric striker in the boat. I use one in the shop when I light a fire out there and it will get one going pretty quick. It should also help get wet wood going too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigskyfisherman
Good point, Reaper. We have been able to get a fire going even when everything is wet, but it takes time and energy to strip enough thick bark off of downed logs and use the "stringy" material underneath, along with the tinder in your tube, to light the underside of the bark. He wouldn't have had the time nor energy to perform the task. His only hope would have been to find an overhang with dry material underneath. We have been praying for his family.
One thing I try to keep in my pocket where it would not come out, is a kit out of my survival pack I have when hunting the mountains. Take cotton balls and coat them with Vaseline, and put them in a medicine bottle. I have them, a lighter, flint/steel, space blanket, and a whistle in a ziplock. You can take two cotton balls and pull them out to the size of a softball and strike the flint/steel into it in a rain storm and it will burn for quite a while. Teepee you some small limbs before hand and put the ball under them for a quick fire.
This accident was a reminder to us all to be more careful when outdoors especially in these frigid temps. I myself now carry an extra change of clothes and am considering wearing purchasing an inflatable life vest. We all think we can better prepare for things like this but sometimes you just need to use your head , stay in the bed that am or try a creek out of the wind.
Nothing worth risking your life over. We may need to have one of these fire starting tests at crappie camp and bring an airboat so you boys that think you could have gotten a fire going have a reality check. Praying for all involved for gods hands to help them through this.
Darryl you are 100% correct. After retiring from the fire service after 22 years, we spent a lot of hours on Kaw Lake searching for missing persons on multiple occasions. There was never a good outcome. If you look back at Kaw's history, it's not good. Several people have lost their lives on this lake over the years. As you said, know when to stay home. Some people will go no matter what. It's a recipe for disaster. This lake and all lakes are dangerous in the right conditions as it has proven many times. Have to use that common sense. When fishing in the winter months, you have to be prepared for everything. A simple fire starter that can be carried in a pocket is several cotton balls covered in petroleum jelly (Vaseline). You can put them in a small plastic bottle sealed with a lighter stored in a small ziplock bag. They burn for a extended period time and produce a fire hot enough to start smaller wet wood. Carrying an extra set of clothing as Darryl mentioned along with a way to start a fire may save a life. You only have a very short window before it's to late to do something.
Something that was on "Dual Survival". Potato chips, Fritos, etc. burn easily and will last quite a while when you need tinder to get a fire going. I have used them, and they work well, although carrying a bag of chips around would make less sense than the cotton balls. On the other hand, if you were lost and starving, Fritos would taste better than cotton balls. Smiley face.
I have a cold kit in my boat now too. I dedicated a huge metal army can to my boat. It takes up a lot of room, but i have the room and some things had to go! I now carry a Full set of dry clothes, bibs, coat that are over sized so they will fit anyone. I carry lighter and waterproof matches. A box of the huge matches with fire starter and one of the BIG fire starter logs. It will burn 45 min on its own. Everyone should have a plan. Time is not on your side.
There is a big difference in chips and Vaseline. Chips burn @ 800 deg and Vaseline burns @ 1,250 deg. Also, Vaseline burns for an extended period of time. So with these temps, Vaseline will start a fire much quicker
Totally agree Tim. I was just trying to add a little humor, as well as provide an option if you have no starter kit.Quote:
Originally Posted by TimY
I know you were buddy. Have to have some humor in here somewhere. Vaseline is (petroleum based) where vegetable oil is the component of chips. Chips are hard start if they get wet but they do burn well when dry. Just hope and pray nobody has to use any of it.
Great info guys! Was wondering if a mod could maybe move this stuff to it's own thread so it doesn't just get lost in the clutter.
It was a tragedy for sure. All those things regarding fire starters are great ideas. And the inflatable life vest is good too. I just recently purchased one did read where it says not to use below 40 or 45 degrees. Not as ure if they are all that way. Might be a o me thing to check out.
I only use my inflatable in the summertime. For winter I use an extra heavy duty standard vest with more flotation than normal vests have. Saturated heavy clothes weigh much more than normal. I also installed a ladder on my Lund last winter and have long carried a survivor bag in my boat during wintertime.
All excellant ideas
I will just add this to the discussion tho I'm sure most are already aware of it. If I fall off my boat in any weather there is no way I have the arm strength to pull myself back onboard and I imagine that's true of about everyone in the winter. If you have a tilt feature on your motor and can stand on lower unit then hit the up button it will lift you right into the boat. Fortunately I have only tried this when my boat was trailered but it should work at least as well in the water.
Good tip, Cc.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crappie ciller
Crappie chiller, I did that a lot back when I was younger and ski out of any old boat not made for skiing. This was my plan in cold water if possible for a longtime. BUT I'm not sure with all those cold weather cloths on, can I get my foot high enough to get it on the motor. I think my best plan is try NOT to go alone in the late winter months with water temps low. That way unless both of us go in the water hopefully the other can help you back in. For a longtime I have had extra cloths and a towel but need to add a kit to start a fire. I do sometimes have a small propane heater if I'm by myself.
I'm glad this thread was started, some very good info.
Since getting my boat 2 seasons ago, I've kept a change of clothes during the winter months and at least a set of frog togs. they block the wind pretty good. I also picked up a water proof fire starter at the gun show a couple weeks back. it's a stainless fully contained cylinder that can use any type of flammable liquid (except diesel), cotton strips and a striker. the cotton strip is on the end of a stick that has an oring on it. it screws into the cylinder full of flammable with the striker (flint)on the side. They are supposed to be good for 1000 lights. It cost 5 bucks and three of them will fit in the palm of a normal mans hand. I plan on getting some more at the next show later this month. If anyone might be interested in a group buy, let me know and I'll see if we can get a hundred of them or so for a much lessor cost. I know the guy that sells them so I might have a way in.
I tried the motor trim technique during the summer two summers ago with a life jacket on and at my age I was stressed pretty good to make it in. I ordered a ladder and installed it then. I don't think i could have made it with heavy clothes on. Haven't needed it yet but I tried it last summer and it still wasn't real easy, but then I'm a 73 yr old geezer!
I'm not far behind you Floyd at 71 years young this month. That was my concern also with heavy clothes, I looked at the ladder you put on and have been debating on trying to put one on my boat.
When I bought my boat I thought about removing the ladder. At my young but abused age, my wife said if I remove the ladder, she'll just up my life insurance!
Another tip to add a few minutes if one falls overboard is to wear wool undergarments. Wool retains some heat even when wet. It won't save you for an extended period, but will add time to the little you have.