Safety

The Op is about a PFD, but I would like to discuss "Survival suits". They are, IMHO, the ultimate PFD. I have gotten into one of these things, with my boots and jacket still on, and jumped into the water in just a few seconds. If your boat sinks, you really want to be in one of these "survival suits" as apposed to a PFD. They used to be expensive, but not anymore. They take up around the same room as a sleeping bag. I think they should be on every vessel operating in salt water.
 
This has been a very useful thread to me. Thanks for all your experience-based thoughts. I fish mainly areas/lakes that I know very well, but I fish solo a lot and I know that the older I get the easier I could get into trouble.
 
Doublebluff said:
This has been a very useful thread to me. Thanks for all your experience-based thoughts. I fish mainly areas/lakes that I know very well, but I fish solo a lot and I know that the older I get the easier I could get into trouble.
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One thing I did this recently is get a Garmin InTouch Mini 2. It's a personal tracker/locater/messenger/gps device. Turn it on and loved ones can track you via the web (password protected and it only broadcasts your location if you choose that setting), text you, you can send messages out, send your location, and you can contact emergency services and send them your location with the push of a button. It'll also guide you along a chosen path and function like a gps if you want it to. Easy to send gps waypoints and routes to and from the device.

Best part is that there's no required monthly fee. $0.10 per message sent if you pay the minimum, but at $15/month for unlimited messages that's a lot of messages you'd have to send before it was worth it.

Noone plans to have an emergency, but it's necessary to have a plan for one.


EDIT: Apparently Garmin’s InReach minimum $14/month plan is supposed to be required for messaging. Somehow they hadn’t been charging me. I say somehow because when I reached out to Garmin’s customer service to ask for clarity, to add a comment to a different thread, they were able to “fix” it so I’m now being charged $14/month that I can pause at any time. They even apologized for not charging me.
 
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J Watrous said:
One thing I did this recently is get a Garmin InTouch Mini 2. It's a personal tracker/locater/messenger/gps device. Turn it on and loved ones can track you via the web (password protected and it only broadcasts your location if you choose that setting), text you, you can send messages out, send your location, and you can contact emergency services and send them your location with the push of a button. It'll also guide you along a chosen path and function like a gps if you want it to. Easy to send gps waypoints and routes to and from the device.

Best part is that there's no monthly fee. $0.10 per message sent if you don't pay the monthly fee, but at $30/month that's a lot of messages you'd have to send before it was worth it.

Noone plans to have an emergency, but it's necessary to have a plan for one.
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Great suggestion - thank you
 
J Watrous said:
One thing I did this recently is get a Garmin InTouch Mini 2. It's a personal tracker/locater/messenger/gps device. Turn it on and loved ones can track you via the web (password protected and it only broadcasts your location if you choose that setting), text you, you can send messages out, send your location, and you can contact emergency services and send them your location with the push of a button. It'll also guide you along a chosen path and function like a gps if you want it to. Easy to send gps waypoints and routes to and from the device.

Best part is that there's no monthly fee. $0.10 per message sent if you don't pay the monthly fee, but at $30/month that's a lot of messages you'd have to send before it was worth it.

Noone plans to have an emergency, but it's necessary to have a plan for one.
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And now I can track where he's fishing. And losing drones... 😜
 
Jim in Anacortes said:
I'd like to discuss the safety issues regarding the "clothing" that is worn underneath the Chinook PFD. Whenever a person falls into the water, the PFD.... AND the clothing worn should be considered. If you are wearing a dry suit.. that is vastly different than if you are wearing a cotton hoodie. Assuming that you are wearing a PFD, you should, IMHO, evaluate and scrutinize your clothing choices with the thought of swimming for your life. Thick, warm "goose down jackets" are nice, but other options designed for "water sports" may be a safer option.
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Hmmmm. In cold weather I typically wear a flannel shirt with big front pockets for my wallet, reading glasses.... Yesterday I wore a poly undershirt, poly hoody, flannel shirt and a heavy wool sweater with a windbreaker (it was 30F on the Dodson driving to the hike in lot). I haven't thought much about that 'flannel' shirt. Needs some rethinking. Thanks for this suggestion. (I did wear my NRS Chinook).
 
Great suggestions and reminders on how to stay safe outdoors. I would just add that it may be a good idea to move this thread to the recently created Safety talk forum so that people can easily find it in the future. Thank you @Josh, @Evan B and @Billy for creating it!

Another online site I frequent, I know others from here are members there too, is NorthWest Kayak Anglers (NWKA), they have a great section on Safety with information and tips that go beyond kayaks or other watercraft and are applicable to a variety of outdoor situations. Below one of their most useful posts:

This is What's Going to Kill You!

This is What's Going to Kill You!
www.northwestkayakanglers.com

Stay safe!
 
J Watrous said:
One thing I did this recently is get a Garmin InTouch Mini 2. It's a personal tracker/locater/messenger/gps device. Turn it on and loved ones can track you via the web (password protected and it only broadcasts your location if you choose that setting), text you, you can send messages out, send your location, and you can contact emergency services and send them your location with the push of a button. It'll also guide you along a chosen path and function like a gps if you want it to. Easy to send gps waypoints and routes to and from the device.

Best part is that there's no monthly fee. $0.10 per message sent if you don't pay the monthly fee, but at $30/month that's a lot of messages you'd have to send before it was worth it.

Noone plans to have an emergency, but it's necessary to have a plan for one.
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Second this.

I've had mine for about a year or so and really only 'needed' it twice. Once hopelessly lost on forest service roads while hiking. Used the GPS to see that I had missed a turn off. Wasn't gonna die or anything but would have been driving around for hours without it. Second use was fishing way off grid and communicating via text with my wife. The peace of mind for her was priceless and the main reason I bought it.
 
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The new iPhones have all of the capabilities of a dedicated personal tracker/locater/messenger/gps device. Topographic maps work with no cell signal, as does location, and texting.
 
Jim in Anacortes said:
The Op is about a PFD, but I would like to discuss "Survival suits". They are, IMHO, the ultimate PFD. I have gotten into one of these things, with my boots and jacket still on, and jumped into the water in just a few seconds. If your boat sinks, you really want to be in one of these "survival suits" as apposed to a PFD. They used to be expensive, but not anymore. They take up around the same room as a sleeping bag. I think they should be on every vessel operating in salt water.
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I was deck handing on salmon trollers way back in the day when these first became available. Early '70's. I decided to try it out in the harbor and jumped in. It had an inflatable (I think) neck support that would hold your head out of the water, at least that was the idea. I jumped in feet first and bobbed up face down. The neck support thingy held my face in the water. Mild panic for a few seconds until I could spin around. I'm guessing this 'feature' was modified at some point.
 
cascadian said:
The new iPhones have all of the capabilities of a dedicated personal tracker/locater/messenger/gps device. Topographic maps work with no cell signal, as does location, and texting.
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How has your experience using the texting feature been? I can't get it to work reliably, and even when successful have never been able to get it to work easily--which is what I want in an emergency. Any tips for success?
 
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J Watrous said:
How has your experience using that feature been? I can't get it to work reliably, and even when successful have never been able to get it to work easily--which is what I want in an emergency. Any tips for success?
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What I've seen so far is that it works quite well in some areas, in fact in some areas it is faster and better at location than my old Magellan. In other areas, specifically when we were goofing around with it in Zion and Bryce, the performance was spotty, but not useless. PNW usage has been good, to great.

My children insisted I begin to carry some sort of beacon. In researching "which one", I discovered the capabilities of the phone. While I want everyone to carry what makes them feel safest, it became apparent to me that I had no need for a dedicated device. YMMV.
Evidently, these capabilities aren't just in the new series, but in fact are available in some recent old models.

I use an app "Topo Maps 2". The app and the phone are, again, better than my old GPS. That could be due to the changes in satellites and their signal, but regardless, it works.

As to tips, other than my phone case isn't OtterBox thick and heavy, I can't offer anything.
 
I didn't even know there was a Safety forum! Glad to know! Knowing is half the battle!

Carry on! Maybe another thread about how to float safely down a river... or more about the Garmin Jake has, although I'll probably order one in the not too distant future! Cheers!
 
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Zak said:
I recomend taking several "safety breaks" throughout the day. You can never be too safe.
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Mine involve a cigar and whisk(e)y, or at least a beer! And you are correct, you can't be too safe! Gotta stay hydrated too! Just a good, safe practice!
 
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flybill said:
Mine involve a cigar and whisk(e)y, or at least a beer! And you are correct, you can't be too safe! Gotta stay hydrated too! Just a good, safe practice!
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I spend a lot of time fishing from my float tube. Although I no longer drink (alcohol), a beer always led to at least one shore break. ;-)
 
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