Let's be careful out there

Seems we can't hear that lesson often enough:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017890552_apwakayakdeath.html?syndication=rss

http://www.oregonlive.com/clackamascounty/index.ssf/2012/04/colton_fire_fighter_drowns_whi.html


 1: Wear the Correct Type of PFD
 2: Wear the Correct Size PFD
 3: Ensure Proper Wearing of the PFD
 4: Wear Your PFD Every Time
 5: Replace Your PFD If Damaged or Worn
 

That's horrible. PFD, PDD, PFD. So important...


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Happening way to often. Sympathy to the family. Let's keep sending our safety message.

Always a sinking(no pun intended) feeling when I read these kind of stories. And inevitably....we will hear more drowning incidents as the weather warms up in the Summer. Let us all be reminded that safety is the number 1 priority. Take care and be safe..

That's horrible. PFD, PDD, PFD. So important...

And dress for immersion. My guess is that the Eastern Washington incident had more to do with hypothermia. The water temperature is lethal everywhere in NWKA territory right now.

Really hoping this is not our guy Justin aka JoeSnuffy

Really hoping this is not our guy Justin aka JoeSnuffy

No, that's not JoeSnuffy. 

I hate hearing about these incidents.  I try to tell people to skimp on other fishing gear and buy the best PFD they can.  Buy a PFD that is comfortable so you never feel like taking it off.

A sudden, surprising fall into cold water can initiate a gasp reflex - sucking in a lungful of water.  Now you are choking, coughing, gagging and your odds go way down.  This is another reason to practice reentry.  Get accustomed to falling into cold water. 

Immersion gear and PFD's are an absolute to play in this game.

My recent adventure at PC gave me a really good snap shot of my immersion gear and PFD choice.
That spill had me in the water over 10 minutes based on my GoPro video timing.
I feel confident that I could have stayed out there alot longer, as I wasn't even close to being cold or shocked by the water temp.
Underlayers are fleece and still keep the body warm when damp/wet.  I got about 1/2 cup of water down the shorts during that bobber duration.
Also, my PFD has served me well via fit and floatation.  It floated so well, that again I am confident that if I were knocked unconcious
somehow, it would keep me safely face up.

More info on the victim.  Turns out it was exposure and not a drowning as he had a PFD on.  Very unfortunate.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/apr/02/gonzaga-honor-student-victim-kayak-accident/

So very sad.  This hits home as I'm reminded of a skiing buddy from my time at Gonzaga who died in an avalanche.

Like the subject says let's be careful out there.

I'd rather be sweaty & hot with Polartec and a wicking skin layer under the Immersion Suit than Dead. I'm so much a Pavlov Dog that I even brought my own Pfd on a PB this weekend to the amusement of my fishing partners .