Life Jacket Use

I am 75 years old and grew up around the water in Rhode Island. I learned to swim when I was 4 or 5 years old. I was in the Coast Guard. I have no fear of the water and have nothing but confidence in my abilities on and in the water. Just five days ago I was crappie fishing from my boat on the Alabama River at Millbrook, Alabama where I have been hundreds of times. I was in the middle front seat of my boat and leaned to my right to get a minnow from the bucket. No more than one second later I was under the water as the base plate for the seat that is secured to the deck with six screws, just pulled completely off the deck. Seriously, no more than one second. I did not feel any panic, my thought was; well, I’m in the water just swim up and get to the boat. But as I started to swim up I realized I was still going down! My wet clothes were weighing me down. I redoubled my efforts to get to the top. I was making progress; however, remember I said it took about one second to fall into the river? Well that meant I did not have any time to take a good deep breath before going under. As I looked up I began to wonder if I had enough air to make it. Now my chest is beginning to tighten and my brain is telling me I need to breathe and I need to do it right now. It would have been so easy to do that. Even as I write this I recall how easy it would have been to take in a big lungful of water. Obviously I held my breath and made it to the surface. So, to THE MAIN POINT FOR WRITING THIS. DO NOT BE LIKE ME. WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO SO. DO NOT FOR ONE SECOND THINK YOU WILL HAVE TIME TO PUT YOUR JACKET ON. I CERTAINLY DID NOT HAVE ANY TIME TO DO SO, AND THERE SAT MY JACKET ON THE DECK, NEAR MY FEET AS I FELL INTO THE RIVER.

You may have just changed my life (or what is left of it). I'm 70 and feel safe without my preserver and I now understand how important it is. Thanks for sharing.

That's plain enough...they are made to wear

Glad this had a happy ending. I have always been one who had the life jacket as a requirement if I was checked. Seriously, it is stowed so deep it would take forever to get it out and on. Two weeks ago I decided this was insane! I can have an accident just as easily as anyone. We bought the auto / manual vests, and in the two trips since, we put them on at the ramp. Both trips, I have noticed mine as I was driving the truck away. They are that comfortable! Thanks for the reminder of how life can change in a second.

Thank you for sharing a very important story and lesson. ALWAYS wear your PFD! No matter how good one thinks they are, a split second accident can happen to anyone, anytime. Glad you are okay.

I second the auto inflate jackets they are so comfortable I hardly notice I have one on.

I use auto inflate, it goes on when the boat hits the water and doesn't come off until the boat is on the trailer

Wow, glad you are okay and thanks for sharing your story.
I am gonna be honest, that scenario has never crossed my mind and probably never would have had I not read your post.
I always wear my jacket while the boat is in motion but take it off when I start fishing or USED TO......

I have a couple Cabelas gift cards and I think I now know how they are gonna be used, sounds like the inflatable life vest would be a fine purchase.

Thank you again.

So glad you made it! I will definently be wearing mine in the future


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Glad your still with us!! I like you have always been comfortable on/in the water. Since I fish by myself a lot, I got to thinking what if I hit my head on the way in.
I wear my self inflating life jacket all the time, while in the boat.

I always put mine on soon as I get out of my truck,The ramps a slick with frost in winter and its so easy to slip and fall. heavy clothes make it much harder to survive not counting the shock of the cold water,How ,amy times have you heard the saying.If he had only been wearing his life preserver? Don't let it happen to you.

Just bought 2 for my wife and I. Won't get in the boat without em.

wow! very good advice. Thanks. Glad you made it back.

:ThumbsUp

I'm sure most of you know but I did not. I bought mine a year ago and wore it religiously. Then a friend pointed out to me that I had not installed the CO2 bottle. THEY DO NOT COME INSTALLED, WHEN NEW. You have to install it yourself when you buy it!

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OK, I will admit that I rarely wear mine. I am 56. Just never liked the feeling of having one on especially in hot weather. I always make my wife wear one, plus she wants one due to being smarter than me. Reading that story was like being there. Very awakening story. I will start wearing one. Promise. Thanks

Probably the best post on the site!!! Glad you are OK

I agree with ole grizzly. This is the best post I have ever seen on this or any other fishing site. Thank you for the reminder!!

thanks for sharing. I'm64 years of age and still think I can do stuff I could 30 years ago but of late I have tripped and stumbled. yesterday I fished alone and first order of business was put on my life jacket. Saw a good friend just a week ago I eased my boat up to them to talk and they tripped and fell hurting their leg and nearly knocking themselves out. I chewed them out for not having their jacket on and they are just barely 50. Good Post

Thanks for the wakeup! I am 73 and don't get around real well. I always have my PFD close by!! Usually on when underway but as you said right at my feet while fishing and moving around on the boat. This has to change!!!:banghead

Had a similar experience several years ago, early March, very cold. Was in the water before I knew what was happening, no air. Got back in boat obviously, thought my chest would burst open. SOSpenders every trip. Keep the kit re-armed annually, or when inspection necessitates. They're comfortable. Beats another experience like that for sure.

I am so happy with all of the responses to my post. It was my intent to encourage the wearing of a PFD, and many of you are going to do so. Thank you so much.

I'm so glad things went well. I'm also getting up in years after reading your story I ordered an inflatable vest last night. I will wear it

Just be sure to read your mustang inflatable info sewed in it. Heavy fog, rain, heavy dew and humidity, high temps, all can set them off and the high dollar mustang re-arming kits are as much as 80 bucks. Other day, friend of mine had his blown out of his hands by wind as he was putting it on, and his hit the water in less than 2 seconds was inflated. Just saying, read the instructions on them as the only fool proof mustang is the pressure released one and its about 250.00 or more with a 80 buck rearming kit.

I did the same thing one early February day years ago. I can swim like a fish, no fear of water what so ever. But once weighed down with cover all's and boots, things change very fast. When they say " it can save your life". It actually can save your life.

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Originally Posted by Gansett

I am so happy with all of the responses to my post. It was my intent to encourage the wearing of a PFD, and many of you are going to do so. Thank you so much.

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We all get complacent at times and that's usually when accidents occur. Your post has opened up some real-world discussion and may very well save someone from a tragic event. Thank you sir..

I wear mine .


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As a certified diver with over 1,200 hours logged underwater, I'm very comfortable in the water. I also know the power water has and how fast cold water can draw the strength right out of a body. I wear my PFD every time I go fishing. They call 'em life jackets for good reason.

Jim

I was also one who felt confident in my abilities to swim and get back in the boat if I fell in. In the last few years I have began to be more realistic about how fast something like this can happen and have gotten a lot more safety conscious. I bought an inflatable vest and have been wearing it while fishing by myself especially in the winter months.

I also installed a 3 step boarding ladder on the stern of my boat. I got to thinking how hard it would be to get back in the boat while wearing winter clothing and figure it a good investment. If you fall into the water in the winter you won't have much time to get back in the boat.

lowe rider is 100% correct. Such a ladder is a MUST HAVE. I could not get into my boat after my experience. Had to get it to the bank in order to get in. Sometimes the bank is too far away, thus need for a ladder. Thanks for posting lowe rider and continued thanks to everyone for all the replies. I feel like some people were helped through my experience.

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Originally Posted by need2befishin

We all get complacent at times and that's usually when accidents occur. Your post has opened up some real-world discussion and may very well save someone from a tragic event. Thank you sir..

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THANK YOU.

Thanks for posting this. I, like a lot of people, have mine buried in a dry storage compartment. No way I could get to it if I had to in an emergency. Will be buying 2 self inflating ones this weekend and wearing one every time I hit the water from now on. Once again, THANK YOU!! Glad you made it out safe!

Thank you for your post. I am still not 50, but I don't think accidents are particular about age. After reading this I picked up two onyx jackets from academy with a gift card. Refills are $14 and the jacket is highly rated. I wore it today, All Day! I never knew I had it on.

i wear my auto inflate vest from the second i leave my dock to the second i return. we never know when something might go wrong.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gansett

I am 75 years old and grew up around the water in Rhode Island. I learned to swim when I was 4 or 5 years old. I was in the Coast Guard. I have no fear of the water and have nothing but confidence in my abilities on and in the water. Just five days ago I was crappie fishing from my boat on the Alabama River at Millbrook, Alabama where I have been hundreds of times. I was in the middle front seat of my boat and leaned to my right to get a minnow from the bucket. No more than one second later I was under the water as the base plate for the seat that is secured to the deck with six screws, just pulled completely off the deck. Seriously, no more than one second. I did not feel any panic, my thought was; well, I’m in the water just swim up and get to the boat. But as I started to swim up I realized I was still going down! My wet clothes were weighing me down. I redoubled my efforts to get to the top. I was making progress; however, remember I said it took about one second to fall into the river? Well that meant I did not have any time to take a good deep breath before going under. As I looked up I began to wonder if I had enough air to make it. Now my chest is beginning to tighten and my brain is telling me I need to breathe and I need to do it right now. It would have been so easy to do that. Even as I write this I recall how easy it would have been to take in a big lungful of water. Obviously I held my breath and made it to the surface. So, to THE MAIN POINT FOR WRITING THIS. DO NOT BE LIKE ME. WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO SO. DO NOT FOR ONE SECOND THINK YOU WILL HAVE TIME TO PUT YOUR JACKET ON. I CERTAINLY DID NOT HAVE ANY TIME TO DO SO, AND THERE SAT MY JACKET ON THE DECK, NEAR MY FEET AS I FELL INTO THE RIVER.

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This is probably the best testament for always wearing a PFD that I have ever read. I will try and always remember this post if I ever want to get lazy about wearing one.

You very well may have saved someone life with this post. Good job!

Thanks for kind words Slow and especially for wearing your PFD in the future. That's why I posted my experience. Pass it on to fellow fishermen and fisherwomen.

I always wear my inflatable when the big motor is running and made a good friend of mine mad when I made him put his on. He refused and I said that's fine we aren't going fishing then. He did put it on but want happy about it. I know I should wear it all the time and I do if I'm alone or the conditions are bad. AS far as getting back in the boat with out a ladder stand on your outboard and trim it up that helps a lot.

This post is a good reminder to all of us who fish from a boat. We all get lax...and I'm thankful for this reminder. Having gone over the side one time I have become much more aware that a life jacket isn't worth a dime laying in the bottom of your boat. I fish a lot by myself and I'll be 80 next month. Wearing my PFD gives me confidence and with the good Lord's blessing I'm able to continue doing what I love, fishing the river.

Incidentally, when fishing in your boat with a friend that means you are the captain and have a certain level of responsibility. It's important to protect yourself, but doubly important to protect your friend....so have them wear a PFD. Am I right or wrong?

Just bought two new self inflatable this week.

Another thing to consider if you use an auto -pilot motor like the Terrova...when you fall in...the boat is moving away from you..How long can you tread water? I personally dont want to find out