Cold water immersion!

[oldwun]

I wear the inflateble Mustang due to health reasons. I am not that stable sometimes and now I wonder how I would get back into my bass boat. I have thought about adding a fold up ladder on the back.

[drifter106]

Points well taken....When it starts getting cold I wear this.

Arctic Armor Ice Fishing Suit Video: Watch it float!

There are other videos that show proof of what these things can do but I wanted to add this one simply because they make note that the suits are NOT coastguard approved floatation devices...although its obvious what they can do.

Arctic Armor Ice Fishing Suit Video: Watch it float!

[roybuoy]

The first thing I do on my boat is put on a PFD before I start it up.And it stays on until I load it on the trailer.And my plan of re-entry is to stand on the foot of the motor and raise it with the trim button.The reasoning behind me wearing one all the time is, what are you going to do if you slip,trip,or lose your balance and hit your head (knocked out) and over board you go,who is going to help you then?

[Billbob]

like roy i have 2 ,1 vest and 1 belt summer belt winter vest when i was younger i swam in comp. was a life guard now the arms and legs dont move very good

[rockmike]

I wear an inflatable any time I'm on the water. I no longer notice having it on.

[edy]

DONT PLAY WITH COLD WATER. I have been a body recovery diver and rescue swimmer on a fire dept. for 15 years. Even in the deep south where I work,every time I am called to get in that winter water it is pure misery even with wet suits and dive gear.When you go overboard from a simple mis-step the cold will literrally take your breath away. It will take concentration and self control to get your breathing under control. Then it will be a huge challenge to get back in the boat and the clock is ticking guys.( I like the other posters idea of having a plan to get back in the boat)The pfd buys you time and you will need it.Think it is safer in pairs? I would say 30% of drowning calls I have been on were for multiple victoms.The last drowning here was for 7 yo and 70 yo males.Grandfather+ grandson fishing on slippery slope of pond dam. Nobody knows who went first but either scenario is heartbreaking.It is extremely difficult and dangerous to rescue a distressed swimmer even in warm water,throw in cold water and you probably will not be successful.Throw in any kind of trauma,collision,medical problem,age, or alcohol and I'm pretty sure your a gonner. I'm not that fast,your family may have to huddle on the boat ramp crying for days before I get you up,and your not gonna be pretty. Please don't make me or someone like me come do this,ITS COLD OUT THERE

[Leadhead]

My brother and his good friend were duck hunting on the Mississippi River in flooded back waters. Somehow, they both ended up in the 48 degree water. No PDF's. It took six weeks for their bodies to surface. Both were experienced swimmers, hunters and fishermen and felt very comfortable with their surroundings. They left two widows and five fatherless children. None of us have ever gotten over it. Please, respect cold water; it's as dangerous as a loaded gun.

[GCD]

Points well taken....When it starts getting cold I wear this.

Arctic Armor Ice Fishing Suit Video: Watch it float!

There are other videos that show proof of what these things can do but I wanted to add this one simply because they make note that the suits are NOT coastguard approved floatation devices...although its obvious what they can do.

Arctic Armor Ice Fishing Suit Video: Watch it float!

Thanks for the link Drifter! I've been looking for a good floatation suit for a while now, those darn things are expensive! Mustang and the like are 300+-400+$! I just purchased the "Cheese Head" Green Bay suit from that site for $269, the colors are kinda ugly... but they match my John Deere tractor!:p

The first thing I do on my boat is put on a PFD before I start it up.And it stays on until I load it on the trailer.And my plan of re-entry is to stand on the foot of the motor and raise it with the trim button.The reasoning behind me wearing one all the time is, what are you going to do if you slip,trip,or lose your balance and hit your head (knocked out) and over board you go,who is going to help you then?

That is the best plan RB, and has been my plan for a few years!

My brother and his good friend were duck hunting on the Mississippi River in flooded back waters. Somehow, they both ended up in the 48 degree water. No PDF's. It took six weeks for their bodies to surface. Both were experienced swimmers, hunters and fishermen and felt very comfortable with their surroundings. They left two widows and five fatherless children. None of us have ever gotten over it. Please, respect cold water; it's as dangerous as a loaded gun.

It always breaks my heart to hear or read about these tragic accidents on the news!... and is the exact reason I posted those vids.

[Ranger690]

I make my kids wear one all the time everytime. And my son ask me about mine about 2 years ago. I didn't have a good answer. Since then, it is on me. And it didn't take long to get used to it. So, if a fat guy can get used to it, so can you. I searched around and found one that didn't choke me. The fit is good. It is part of me now. And it helps keep me warm in cold weather.

From launch to back on the pavement. Thanks kids.



It doesn't help me find crappie yet!

Dayton

[drifter106]

Thanks for the link Drifter! I've been looking for a good floatation suit for a while now, those darn things are expensive! Mustang and the like are 300+-400+$! I just purchased the "Cheese Head" Green Bay suit from that site for $269, the colors are kinda ugly... but they match my John Deere tractor!:p



That is the best plan RB, and has been my plan for a few years!



It always breaks my heart to hear or read about these tragic accidents on the news!... and is the exact reason I posted those vids.

Isn't green and yellow always expensive? Has been for me....