Wayne, were you wearing waders.? If so, did they cause you any problems.? I've always wondered what would happen taking a swim with waders and heavy boots on. Glad you're safe...
Wear your life vest
- Thread starter Wayne Kohan
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Wayne Kohan
Life of the Party
Yes, I had chest waders on, but I had them belted around the waist only, didn't put the shoulder straps on. I ended up with a little bit of water in each leg, probably a quart or less. They really weren't an issue. My wallet and fishing license were both soaked of course. I think the weight of the water was less than the weight of the flippers overall. Considering I was swimming for a few minutes, I really didn't have that much water in there.
The weight of water inside waders is a net zero when submerged...until you try to clamber out onto shore.
A few weeks ago Ive and I witnessed a young fella in a way too small belly boat (so small that fully inflated the craft was barely above the water surface and his elbows often in the water) attempt to walk up the takeout. He was having a hell of a time walking with those water filled elephant legs. He really only noticed that water was rushing into the top of his waders (no waist belt!) when his legs were getting very cold.
Of course not wearing a waist belt with waders in moving water presents a whole 'nuther type of potential disaster.
A few weeks ago Ive and I witnessed a young fella in a way too small belly boat (so small that fully inflated the craft was barely above the water surface and his elbows often in the water) attempt to walk up the takeout. He was having a hell of a time walking with those water filled elephant legs. He really only noticed that water was rushing into the top of his waders (no waist belt!) when his legs were getting very cold.
Of course not wearing a waist belt with waders in moving water presents a whole 'nuther type of potential disaster.
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Wayne, glad you were ok and huge thanks for sharing all those details. The stuff about your tube while you were in the water was of particular interest.
If it helps anyone, I went till my mid 50's before finally deciding to use a PFD for fishing. Same reasons as everyone else. And that was even after saving the life of another who chose not to wear his and, worse, having been SWR'd myself in a mishap that should have been it for me.
I bought an NRS Chinook and, when first putting it on, found I was completely wrong about the feel and inconvenience. To the contrary, you don't know it's there and it seemed like I had worn it all along.
I can't speak for fishing in a PFD "back in the day" but they aren't your father's Oldsmobile anymore. Not by a longshot.
We're out of excuses and that's why I have one.
If it helps anyone, I went till my mid 50's before finally deciding to use a PFD for fishing. Same reasons as everyone else. And that was even after saving the life of another who chose not to wear his and, worse, having been SWR'd myself in a mishap that should have been it for me.
I bought an NRS Chinook and, when first putting it on, found I was completely wrong about the feel and inconvenience. To the contrary, you don't know it's there and it seemed like I had worn it all along.
I can't speak for fishing in a PFD "back in the day" but they aren't your father's Oldsmobile anymore. Not by a longshot.
We're out of excuses and that's why I have one.
Bruce Baker
Life of the Party
Glad you're all right. Thanks for sharing and it never hurts to issue a reminder on the importance of wearing a PFD.
I have told this story before, but I took a scary unexpected swim in 32F water on a half ice covered pond while fishing when I was about 20-21. Was sitting on my PFD, not wearing it, and was very very lucky to make it to shore. When the canoe went over I wasn't given time to find it or get my shoes or clothes off or figure anything out at all.
I think what very few people realize is how quickly everything happens when it all goes down. Accidents are not predictable, there often isn't a warning bell, and they don't give you time to get your shit together or figure it out afterwards. How strong or smart you are doesn't matter. Always, always wear your PFD, always make sure your kids and guests wear theirs too. I always post to threads like this too just in case it helps someone think twice. One year after I went in, one of my good friends and fishing buddies didn't and he didn't make it to shore when he went in.
I think what very few people realize is how quickly everything happens when it all goes down. Accidents are not predictable, there often isn't a warning bell, and they don't give you time to get your shit together or figure it out afterwards. How strong or smart you are doesn't matter. Always, always wear your PFD, always make sure your kids and guests wear theirs too. I always post to threads like this too just in case it helps someone think twice. One year after I went in, one of my good friends and fishing buddies didn't and he didn't make it to shore when he went in.
I wear a life vest 90% of the time when fishing. And 100% of the time when in a tube or kayak. Mostly for safety, but also mostly because I find it really handy to have my tools etc right at hand (NRS Chinook). The only times I might forgo it is a hot day in the boat in safe/quiet waters (or a bigger boat when not solo). Always toss it back on when moving from spot to spot. But now that I have an inflatable vest for hot boat days, I don't even do that very often since it's not warm to wear. So I mostly leave it on.
Jim in Anacortes
Life of the Party
I typically chime in on these threads and say the same things. One very good reason to wear a PFD is that it makes "body recovery" much easier (for first responders and family members). Any of us can have heart failure at anytime. Nobody wants to go diving to look for your body. Also a whistle attached is a must (IMHO). If I'm on Pass Lake and I hear a whistle, I'm in rescue mode...someone yelling out is just not the same. Also retro reflective tape is a must IMHO. Many situations occur in low light situations and this tape is often a mandatory requirement for this reason (also very cheap). Lights or glow sticks are also sometimes required.. Stories of rescues are much better than stories of tragedy.
Wow, great reminder! Glad you are ok, and appreciate you sharing the story.
Glad you were wearing it and glad you're ok!
I was like so many of us...dumb. I finally purchased a decent inflatable one 2 seasons ago. I have fished in a tube or boat since 1985. And I fish by myself a LOT. Yep, pretty friggin stupid.
It was a close call in the front of my boat on Lake Tapps, while muskie fishing, that finally convinced this idiot to buy one. It was the first time I felt "older" in the boat. I could tell my balance just wasn't quite the same as the last time I was out on that God-forsaken wake boat whirlpool.
I went to take a step to the right, towards the edge of the boat just as a wave lifted the boat causing my foot to plant sooner than expected. I nearly sprained my ankle and somehow didn't high-side over the starboard side. I'd bet 50/50 if it happened again.
It was summer and the water might have not been much over 5' there, but what if I smack my head on the gunnel on the way down? What if I broke my arm on the way down? Could I get back into my 14' aluminum boat if injured? Hell, can I even get back in un-injured?
I bought one the next day and wear it every time I'm in the Commander, the raft or my boat. I bought the Onyx AM 24 inflatable for like $89. I find it very comfortable and have literally forgot I'm wearing it multiple times. Buy a PFD that you'll wear!!
I was like so many of us...dumb. I finally purchased a decent inflatable one 2 seasons ago. I have fished in a tube or boat since 1985. And I fish by myself a LOT. Yep, pretty friggin stupid.
It was a close call in the front of my boat on Lake Tapps, while muskie fishing, that finally convinced this idiot to buy one. It was the first time I felt "older" in the boat. I could tell my balance just wasn't quite the same as the last time I was out on that God-forsaken wake boat whirlpool.
I went to take a step to the right, towards the edge of the boat just as a wave lifted the boat causing my foot to plant sooner than expected. I nearly sprained my ankle and somehow didn't high-side over the starboard side. I'd bet 50/50 if it happened again.
It was summer and the water might have not been much over 5' there, but what if I smack my head on the gunnel on the way down? What if I broke my arm on the way down? Could I get back into my 14' aluminum boat if injured? Hell, can I even get back in un-injured?
I bought one the next day and wear it every time I'm in the Commander, the raft or my boat. I bought the Onyx AM 24 inflatable for like $89. I find it very comfortable and have literally forgot I'm wearing it multiple times. Buy a PFD that you'll wear!!
Wayne Kohan
Life of the Party
I have a very recent model, it has the vertical sticks in front and magnets in the back. I blew right through that thing, I’m sure that’s what it is designed to do. That was another thing I had to save from sinking as well once I was in the water.
wanderingrichard
Life of the Party
homemade self rescue stirrup
Hey there. I am thinking of making my own rescue stirrup, similar to the one in this video. It is just a long loop of webbing. What I am wondering about, is there any particular reason it needs to be webbing? Does having a "flat rope" like webbing have an advantage over the usual "round rope"? I...
www.westcoastpaddler.com
That's an article on how to make a self rescue rope loop for kayakers... maybe work for your Super Fat Cat too?
And NRS has D ring and web loop kits on their site for adding to rafts. Maybe adapt from there, too ?
I mentioned this discussion to a friend who used to climb and he immediately offered to give me one of his ascender stirrup rigs to try on my Outcast Fish Cat Scout. I have since found a similar ready made ascender loop sling on Amazon He also gave me a 45 inch web loop to wrap around the pontoon to provide an anchor point of sorts. I don't think any of the web tie-down points on the Scout will take 220 lbs of wet fisherman!
I'm not sure if a similar arrangement would work with a Fat Cat. The Scout does have quite a bit of floatation in front of the seat to prevent upending the boat.
The rig shown in the pictures actually has two sets of loops - a short yellow set and a longer red set. I plan to use the longer red one to I had left the shorter yellow set on the carabiner to use as a handhold but it is too low for that. I will probably remove the yellow set and come up with a different arrangement for a handhold. The one benefit of using the flat webbing is it folds up into a very light, compact package - I've got the webbing loops all stowed in an old web water bottle holder beside my seat.
With an inflated PFD, I'm sure it will still be quite the rodeo trying to get one flipper off, then trying to get up and flop back onto the seat somehow. Hopefully the loops will assist with dragging the boat into shallow water if nothing else.
Wayne Kohan
Life of the Party
I can't see this working for the Super Fat Cat. I think the reason I fell out is that I reached forward instead of sideways, and there is not enough flotation in front of the boat and as I reached and moved forward, the boat went up on its forward points and out I slid. I don't see a way of re-entering the boat in deep water, but I i noticed I couldn't hold onto the boat, hence my idea of attaching a strap was to just stay with the boat. I have a friend with a pool, I should take my float tube over there and try to get in the boat.
wanderingrichard
Life of the Party
Just realized while reading this, maybe the answer to this could be found by talking to the folks at Kayak Academy in Issaquah
www.kayakacademy.com
I know the comparison between craft are night and day, but they do teach self recovery , and one of them might look at it like a new challenge to take on.
Kayak Academy | Kayak Academy
Kayak parts and accessories for whitewater and sea kayaking.
www.kayakacademy.com
I know the comparison between craft are night and day, but they do teach self recovery , and one of them might look at it like a new challenge to take on.
I think you're right Wayne that this if very boat dependent and requires some thought for each boat type. The light weight of the frameless pontoons and float tubes can work against us when we're not in/on the boat. In gusty winds, I've had my Scout blow away from the boat launch.
I had it in the back of my mind that the short orange tie-down straps I use for strapping the boat to my roof rack would be useful as a handhold. But I realized yesterday that they would be too short and almost impossible to reach if I was in the water. I'm going to add a 6 ft line to my bow so I have a handhold while in the water.
Ken
What do you think about tying a small stopper knot (half hitch, figure 8 knot) or loop and slipping it underneath a wading belt (in back?) as a tether? Easy to rig and reach, probably stays put unless you want to easily pull it out.