HONESTY.... Truth or dare.

Jennie@ifish · 10-31-2001, 02:40 PM

How many of you wear life jackets? Honestly?
Truth or dare...

The ocean? I do wear one, and they are out and available if the seas calm down and I want to take it off.

Drifting a river? Rarely... In fact, they are usually stowed and I don't think there would be a chance in **** that I could get them out. I have seen a boat lose an oar and go down faster than I could follow the events.

A lake? PHHT! Right! No, I never wear one on a lake, unless I've been waterskiing. This, while travelling at high speeds.

Now, I look at that, and I think... DUH!
How stupid am I?
We go racing across the Columbia from Oregon to Washington, at record speeds to get to the hot spot.
If I needed my life jacket, I'd have to stand up, walk to the bow, and undo the box.
Would I have time to do this?
Most likely, NO!
I am giving myself a lecture here, if you can't tell.
I got one of those inflatable life jackets, and it is very comfortable.
I am going to try SO hard to remember to put it on. I can barely feel it when I wear it.
I've told myself this before.... But this year, I am going to put a life jacket around myself.
Jen

Thumper · 10-31-2001, 02:43 PM

Stormy Seas jacket or inflatable vest. Every time. Without fail. For the last 20 years. Its been a pain in the butt. Sure hope I fall in some day to make it all worthwhile.

invader · 10-31-2001, 02:47 PM

i have never worn a life jacket while fishing....only while water sking......john

SlabQuest · 10-31-2001, 02:54 PM

I always wear my SOSpenders when fishing or boating solo. If I slipped and fell in while trolling alone, the boat would just troll merrily away without me. Otherwise, only in rough water - not too smart. Like you say, when things go wrong, it usually happens fast - too fast to retrieve and put on the PFD's!

FallRiverGuy · 10-31-2001, 02:58 PM

On the request of my wife I have started to wear one every time I am in my boat. The only time I fudge is when the sweat is running down the back of my neck on a hot summer day. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] I am trying.

THE REEL HEY_YALL · 10-31-2001, 02:58 PM

What's a life jacket?

I have a couple of straight-jackets that are collecting dust though. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

Only worn a life jacket for kneeboarding (occasionally) and whitewater rafting. I've only dealt with the ocean out here once from a charter. Didn't wear one then, but I knew where they were as well as the rings.

Dealing with the Gulf of Mexico I never wore one except one time because of this party I was attending called Hurricane Opal. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Master Baiter · 10-31-2001, 03:03 PM

I plan to buy a self inflating PFD for wearing on the ocean and in the bays. Other than that I do not wear them except when I used to ski or while working (the state requires the use on any kind of vessel).

MB

dawhunt · 10-31-2001, 03:12 PM

I wear a sospenders when I'm putting my anchor in and pulling it out,I have sospenders for my drift boat but honestly I have never wore them.Pretty stupid uh ??
Bob

Fish Hunter · 10-31-2001, 03:19 PM

Must admit to not wearing it. I noticed the inflatables in the West Marine junk mail last night and was pondering the subject myself. I guess it would be easier to get in the habit of wearing one of them. Do the immersion activation work well on these 200$ units? Might be a big advantage if you were knocked out in a collision. I wouldn't bat an eye at spending that on a motorcycle helmet.
Last July I saw a wrecked 21" glass boat at the ramp and talked to the fella about the accident he had the night before. The boat was a mess after he ran into a dock in dim light. Supposedly detached from the shore. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] This put him sideways into a cut-bank, and he cut his face up really bad on the windshield. Somehow he stayed in the boat and consious which was amazing considering the amount of dried blood in the boat. The front half of the port side was completely caved in. This got me thinking I should at least wear something. A buddy likes to wear a float coat, rarely see him without it on the water. The lack of bulk seems to make it more usable.
Up to now I wear the life jackets during risky rapids, have them out when the boating traffic is heavy or the water is really rough. Another boat colliding with mine seems to the biggest hazard I'm not ready for. I'm big on helmets and seatbelts, why not PFDs? I'd like to think I won't be receiving a Darwin award anytime soon!

Chris Nordling · 10-31-2001, 03:19 PM

I too began wearing mine at the request of my wife. Makes sense, usually if something is going to happen, it's much too fast for us to think about throwing on a life vest. I make an extra effort to wear one in the driftboat when floating, simply because sometimes you don't know if there is a new tree down or something else blocking your path. Pretty tough to save a life while stowed away, a Coast Guard guy said to me in Woodland one day. He said the number of fatalities this year was way up, and almost 80% had no jacket on.

Just my .025

Chris [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

~ TEAM U.S.A. ~

OneLastCast · 10-31-2001, 03:30 PM

I always wear my float coat, in the river or in the ocean, unless the weather gets way to warm which isn't that often.
All passengers are required to wear flotation going over the bar and it seems that once they have it on they usually leave it on.

OneLastCast

HOGTIDE · 10-31-2001, 03:45 PM

I usually wear my floatcoat when running down river and whenever I drop or pull anchor. I personally know two different guys that have drowned while anchoring and one other guy who survived, literally by a miracle. You never really realize how weak you actually are, until you have tried to undo a halfhitched anchor rope from you leg, while a strong current pulls on the hull!

I usually do not wear one while sitting at anchor, nor do I wear one while trolling in protected areas. Both of my daughters are required to wear one at 'all' times...which frequently irritates them!

SlabQuest · 10-31-2001, 03:51 PM

FishHunter, The self inflating device works by a "tablet" (maybe a fizzie?) dissolving and releasing a spring-loaded valve. I hear they are pretty reliable. I didn't get that feature cuz I was concerned of it getting wet and going off in a non-emergency.

local_hooker · 10-31-2001, 04:54 PM

yes! every time! I fish alot with my kids, and I want to be a good example.

Sean

Tinman · 10-31-2001, 05:11 PM

Last year I started wearing one all the time while on the ocean or rivers, though I don't wear one on small mountain lakes.

Actually, the decision to routinely wear a life jacket resulted largely from reading this board for a while. So many of the mishaps people report could have happened to me.

STGRule · 10-31-2001, 06:18 PM

All the time the boat is moving. All the time in the ocean. I usually take it off if we are at anchor if the river traffic is light.

Pete · 10-31-2001, 06:27 PM

Never in the drift boat, but always in the sled if I am on my own or if I'm on the salt.

BlueWater · 10-31-2001, 06:33 PM

Always. Every ride. I to want to set an example for my kids and it just makes sense.

A very close friend of mine drowned a few years back if he would of had a life jacket on mabey we would have at least had a body for his mother to put in the ground. Rather than an empty box. Or mabey I could be still fishing with him instead of his memory.

Before any one goes out in the boat with me well before hand I tell them there are two rules. Everyone wears a life jacket and there is no beer in the boat.

BlueWater.

Sol Duc · 10-31-2001, 08:15 PM

HEY THUMPER THAT WAS FUNNY!!! LMAO HEHEHHE

willierower · 10-31-2001, 08:26 PM

I rarely wear a life vest. About the only time I do is when Im in a sled when we are running the river. I sometimes wear it in the drift boat when running nasty water or running something I havent ran before. Other than that I dont.
I should have learned my lesson a few years back when 2 of my friends went swimming in high water in march. They sank a drift boat right in front of me. The water wasnt anything rough or technical, The rower just wasnt paying attention. He missed a stroke and went sideways into a log jam. The boat was down in a blink of an eye. Both of them made a little wet and shaken. Bad things happen fast on the water......

Captain and Marie · 10-31-2001, 09:00 PM

Yes I wear my life jacket every time.

I also wear my seat belt every time.

When I go kayaking I wear a helmet everytime.

YOU just never know when accidents can happen.

Set a good example to your kids and do the right thing EVERYTIME.

You may just safe your life.

Just remember most people drown when thrown from a boat, why? because the life jacket holds your head above water and if your not wearing it, you will drown most likely.

Thank goodness for PFD's

Marie
[over protective Mom]

[img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

First Bite · 10-31-2001, 09:25 PM

After I saved my Father-In-Law from drowning on the Wilson River a few years back at my wife's insistence I bought a Stearns inflatable vest and wear it every time I fish in the winter.

As a side not to anyone who has an inflatable vest, double check your CO2 cartridge to make sure it's full and ready to go. I was at home a while back and thought I'd pull the cord to see how good it worked and nothing happened. Somehow the cartridge was spent and I didn't even know about it. Now I always make sure it's full and always carry a spare CO2 cartridge. Be safe on the water.

Mark

Pilar · 10-31-2001, 10:07 PM

Tough question, Jen. My jacket goes unworn, most of the time. In the ocean it will do little more than settle the insurance claim when they find your carcass.

If you're serious about surviving 52 degree water wear a survival suit.

I must admit I wear it when the kids are on board.

smilesforu · 10-31-2001, 11:40 PM

Been in the drink 3 times that could have drowned me while fishing( 6 more to go). I was using my stormy seas as a seat cushion on one....it was hot out. It is hard to wear a uncomfortable pfd consistantly....heck it hard to wear a comfortable one.
If you fish you will have a accident...and it will happen so fast when you least expect it. Unless your in a slow sinking boat.

NAUTI-NOTIONS · 11-01-2001, 07:07 AM

Procastination is my Answer. Always a gonna get one of them there auto-inflates'. as it stands i only wear one when anchoring or lifting anchor. My wife and kids both give me a ration of crap and i seem to justify it in my mind. however when we're snowmobiling or water skiing i pride my self on the safety I invoke. SO Call me "STUPID" and i'd fully agree. I'll be out nite steelhead fishing tonite and i have a feeling i may be sporting one at least at first. than I'm sure stupiditiy will over come and off it goes. So to all who read this and wear their jacket can say " I TOLD HIM SO "

Ken Drifter · 11-01-2001, 10:03 AM

Honestly, both Sons absolutely every minute on the water, although I do let the teenager get away with out one when on the lakes since if they aint bitin hes gonna jump out and swim...As for me well ...only in the bay and when going through a rough Drift, or when the wind and rain kick up real bad.
The wife is about the same as I am although to set a better example she wears one when drifting all the time, Ken

Phish_on · 11-01-2001, 10:42 AM

I take it off if trolling on a calm lake. It's always on when "under power" or anywhere on a river with a current. I keep it on if I'm alone.

Two events have inspired this behavior - 1) witnessing a waterskiing-show accident in which a ski boat flipped over and knocked a passenger unconcious, and 2) flipping the canoe into the upper Deschutes. I learned that when "stuff happens" it happens REALLY FAST. I was wearing a life jacket when the canoe went over ... but it wasn't strapped on.

MP · 11-01-2001, 02:43 PM

I rarly wear a PFD unless I am at B-10 or in the ocean. I was with my dad one year and we were coming into Ilwaco (spelling?) when the boat almost capsized. We were out of the main river about half way between the dock at FT Canby and the river when the boat suddenly went onto the right side. It balanced on the right side of the boat, engine out of the water for what seemed like an eternity (probably like 2 seconds). I threw my weight aginst the left (now top) side of the boat and it went back down. To this day we dont know what happened. The depth finder said the water wasnt shallow (cant remember how deep) and we were in the "channel". It was really weird. Had to do a brick check (in the pants that is) when we got back to the dock.

Mark P.

Get Bit · 11-01-2001, 09:19 PM

Jen,
Kind of embarassing but I never wear a life jacket anywhere but on the Deschutes.Thanks for giving yourself the lecture cause it sounds like a bunch of us need the same one.

Get Bit

Hoosier Daddy · 11-01-2001, 11:05 PM

Underway in fast or rough conditions or running hard -- lifejacket on.

Sitting in calm conditions, off
Sitting in rough conditions, usually on.

Willamette, usually sitting on it
Columbia, usually wearing it unless anchored and calm.
Wife in the boat, wearing it, unless anchored in the Willamette.
Kids in the boat, wearing it, cause they should be too.
Hoglined up with dumbasses all around, wearing it--you never know.

happybrew · 11-02-2001, 01:15 PM

I wear mine every time, without fail. If I'm wading past my knees, I wear one. My kids wear them whenever they are on the bank of a river in the winter. They slip on the mud way too easily, and in a fast flowing river they could be inaccessible in moments. My boat is an inflatable with a trolling motor, and I only take it on lakes. Nevertheless, you never know when some bozo is going to run you over. You never know when you will go down. Nobody ever knows when they will go in the drink. If they did, they wouldn't go that time. Let me repeat myself: not one single person who ever drowned while boating or fishing knew ahead of time that they would be taking an unexpected swim. Not one of them! I have a wife and four (soon to be five) kids who depend upon me for a paycheck and for a dad. I cannot be replaced. My wife and kids cannot be replaced. It's the rule in our family that everyone wears a lifejacket when on the boat, and the kids wear one when on the bank of a river. No exceptions. Anybody here ever had a child slip on the bank? Or go into the water? Think of how easy it would be to lose them. Is a slight inconvenience worth saving a life?

happybrew

Chinookosaurus · 11-02-2001, 01:47 PM

Who can recommend a good self inflating, comfortable PFD/float coat? What brands are good? What is the price range?

I have been meaning to get one, but haven't done so. I do a lot of drifts with friends in the winter and have fallen in from the bank several times. Sometimes in very fast water. My wife thinks I'm nuts for not wearing one all the time. I think I'll buy one and set her mind at ease.

Thanks for the good discussion. Maybe this board will save a life. Something to think about. Thanks Jen and everyone
Brian

Meridian · 11-03-2001, 07:13 AM

I've been getting better and better at wearing my life vest more often. Hearing some of the stories on this board might of helped in my decision. I have even started taking my own life vest with me when going out on someone elses boat.
I think most people don't wear them because of the comfort issue. I recently bought some new vests that are very comfy. Up around the shoulders they have a mesh material so things arn't poking and rubbing your neck everytime you turn your head.
Maybe a bigger bulkier jacket with a head cushion is a better floation device, but if its to uncomfortable to wear it's going to be under the seat most of the time.

fishbait · 11-03-2001, 10:05 AM

When alone in my sled, always
With my 12 yr old only, in the sled, usually
Drift boat, seldome
Any boat, crossing the bar, almost always
Big water, low light situtations, sometimes

THE REEL HEY_YALL · 11-05-2001, 08:25 AM

Chinookasaurus

That's that man-eating Nookie :tongue:

Mustang PFD jackets have really impressed me. I highly suggest making a trip up to Canada to buy it as the prices are considerably cheaper than in the states, plus you'll have an excellent reason to test it out.

You can find them pretty much anywhere at your big marine/water places and tackle suppliers, or Cabela's and other internet sites as well.

Hope this helps. If not, you can be like Bill Dance and get those SOSpenders. Not a bad thing for a rower in my opinion.

fishbane · 11-05-2001, 09:18 AM

I guess since I WAS a great swimmer in my yute. Not any more though sucking for air after a few minnutes now.
I didn't wear one except on the Ocean and crossing the bar. Now on any large river or body of water I tend to wear one.
Never on small rivers or lakes. But I keep it in reach.

springer4you · 11-05-2001, 09:31 AM

Im with Bluewater on this one, I have the same rules everyone wears their lifejacket and no alcohol in my boat.
I also wear my life jacket when I use my float tube to cross the Deschutes. I would rather look stupid because I have one on, than look stupid because I have drowned.

Springer4you :smile:

DF · 11-05-2001, 09:52 PM

I have always worn my pfd.
Espescially on big water on a small boat.
Whenever im running a boat I wear one.
Whenever im with my friend in his boat i wear one. we both do. As a matter of fact the owener of St. Helens marina confronted us and said. "hey guys im proud of you for wearin your jacketts. :smile: that was nice to hear. The only time I really dont wear one is when im right out hear on the columbia in a big boat. Like a 21 foot alumaweld sport jet.
No no its not mine darnit :grin: