got your life preserver?

[kenhuntin]

Yesterday my buddy brought his three year old grandson out for some panfish on second lake in Scandia. It is a private lake and he keeps his 14' jon there for hunting and fishing. He anchored and they had a sandwich for lunch. He slipped and fell on the transom which was enough to take on water and instantly the boat came over on them.Luckily he was wearing his vest and of course the boy had one on too. It was a ten minute swim to shore in that frigid water. but they got back to the farmhouse safe. It probably did not help that he had my new trojan deep cycle in the back to power his electric and being anchored also in the back with the wind as it was yesterday. Luckily the vest kept him from going under because the first thing you do when you hit cold water is inhale.
  There is no time to take your life vest off the back of the seat or out from under something when something happens that quick.
 I know of another guy that was a good swimmer and would fish all weekend and once or twice during the week . He always had his preserver along but on the back of his seat. That is how they found it with the empty boat driving in circles. He was alone and no one knows what happened other than he drowned.
    It is better to be a live sissy than a dead tough guy.
   Please wear them

[Randy Kaar]

good and timely info Ken! and also make sure they float!
years ago my brother threw one of his in the lake to wash
off some mud and the thing sunk!

randy aka bh

[Grute Man]

There was another accident on Sunday on White Bear Lake and the life preserver saved this guys life.  He was sailing and a gust blew his sail  boat right over.  When interviewed, he said he didn't think he'd have been able to make it back without his preserver on.

And regarding the life preserver that Bonehead refered to, they are made of a material that can become saturated if exposed to water.  They are sealed in plastic bags and if that bag gets puntured/cut, water  can get in.  Those are usually the orage horse shoe shaped ones.  Be sure to check them out before using them.  If they feel heavy, they're probably wet.

[Fish Guide]

its much easier to get small kids to wear their vests if they are told they are "fishing coats"  and that they help to catch more fish! 

[Mayfly]

its much easier to get small kids to wear their vests if they are told they are "fishing coats"  and that they help to catch more fish! 

That is the first time I have heard that and I LOVE it! Thanks for the tip. With a 3 year old little girl that is going to start coming out with Dad more she will love that!

Thanks Again.

And glad to hear your friend and grandson are ok Ken. That is very scary!

I am guilty of not wearing a life jacket BUT once late evening and dark comes I do put it on. Seen a few accidents on Mille Lacs over the years...On weekends there are some serious idiots on that lake! Almost got hit a couple years ago. I didn't know what I was going to do. Me and my girlfriend at the time are both standing up waving and yelling at these people and they are headed right toward us. No exageration they came very very close!

[Spinach]

Great advice Josh..... I will definitely be telling the 5 year old that when we hit the water after opener.

Last year was strange, he went in the boat 5-6 times with me and did not like the lifejacket at all, the last time was pretty easy to get it on him but it was tough the other times.

The year before he loved it and it was never an issue, I think it was a Spongebob lifejacket that year.