What happens..............boating accidents.

[darcy tucker]

If I am boating in a small aluminum boat with a 8hp motor and I hit a big rock or stump with my propeller will the motor rip off of the boat or will the passengers fly out of the boat?

I'm curious because I never wear a lifejacket when I am cruising from spot to spot on calm small waters.  Maybe I should though if accidents like this can toss the boaters unconscious out of the boat into the water.

[Catt]

Ever pull a dead body from the water after being submerged for several days or see what a prop can do to the human body or watch some one identify the remains of a loved one?

You decide if it's worth it or not

[darcy tucker]

I'm just wondering if the majority of boating deaths are caused from the motor hitting something and the passengers being ejected.  Is this what happens?

[Catt]

You aint gonna drown or get ran over by the prop in the boat  

[Splat]

Yes.

Typically hitting stuff will cause a abrupt stop of the boat, however not necessarily of you. It's physics 101. If you hit something the boat will stop however you and everything else that's not restrained will continue forward. Could be out of the boat, could be just to the next bench forward.

Really you should get a PFD, and they only do you good if your wearing them! Many of us find that a suspender type is the best. They are comfortable, cool, and non restrictive for fishing. All this combined means that you'll wear it.

Something along this line is best, thay are automatic inflating so when you go in the water they inflate and keep you alive

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat601114&navAction=jump&navCount=1&cmCat=MainCatcat21276&parentType=category&parentId=cat21276

Get one and wear it ALL THE TIME. Remember accidents do happen out on the open water, and people get thrown overboard not only at cruising speed, but also when trolling along and that trolling motor shaft strikes a immovable object(usally while your standing and not very stable).  Lot of accidents happen at the dock while boarding your boat, there's a VERY good chance you'll strike something if you slip and fall on the dock.

BIll

[btcprince]

ive never been one to wear a life jacket on the boat, but recently my son has started joining us too. i make him wear one the entire time and he doesnt complain. i just figure i need to lead from example and wear mine too now.

[Socalbassmaster]

I wear mine only under power unless I do a night tourny then I have it on the hole night. I use it like a seat belt if motor is on the jacket is on.

Just be safe and always spade and neuter your pets.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I'm just wondering if the majority of boating deaths are caused from the motor hitting something and the passengers being ejected.  Is this what happens?

no, the majority of deaths come from 1 common factor, regardless of how they got there, the deaths come from people ending up in the water, WITHOUT FLOTATION!!

Being unconscious is only 1 of many ways to die.  What if you are fully conscious but too far from shore to swim,....boat is long gone,...now what?  How long can you tread water?

Not worth it dude, if you love your family, don't risk putting them through your burial.

[w4svc]

Just watch the Bill Dance's out takes and how many times he ends up in the water. I'm sure he didn't want to end up there. And I'm sure the equipment that was damaged due to these accidents was not cheep to replace. My point: it only has to happen one time. You may wear your PFD's all the time and never fall in but the one time you may need them, do you want to be without????????

[Sam]

Darcy,

This is what happens when you hit something in your boat.

The hull or lower unit will strike a submerged or floating stump, tree, rock, flat, peice of wood, a bridge support or something that you did not see.

TIP ONE - ALWAYS WEAR POLARIZED SUNGLASSES

The boat will either stop or change direction abruptly swerving to right or left, if it does not go foward.

People and items in boat are traveling at same rate of speed when boat hits submerged object so when boat stops or slows down people and items in boat continue at original speed.

People and items in boat are thrown out of boat or if still in boat, are injured.  Motor will stop if your lower unit or prop strikes an object hard enough. Motor will flip up in air but should not come off boat if it does not shut down.

TIP TWO - ALWAYS CONNECT YOUR KILL SWITCH LANYARD TO PANTS, SHIRT OR LIFE JACKET WHEN MOTOR IS OPERATING.

People and items now in water with boat running free, probably in circle.

People are in shock, knocked out and have very few items, if any, to hang onto to float.

If you are lucky, other people will be in area and can offer immediate assistance.  If you are unlucky, call wife and friends on cell phone and say goodbye and what type of flowers and coffin you and your son would like at the funeral.

Hydrothermea will suck warmth out of body rapidly and you will become unconcious and drown.  Same for son or daughter or anyone else in boat.

If water is warm, you may not be able to tread water or swim with a broken or sprained arm, wrist or leg or if you are unconcious from hitting the water.  Once again, call wife and let her have funeral arrangements.  Send your fishing gear to me as you will not have any more use for it.

TIP THREE - ONLY STUIPD PEOPLE DO NOT WEAR PFD IN BOAT.  IT IS LIKE PLAYING ICE HOCKEY OR BASEBALL AND NOT WEARING A PROTECTIVE CUP.  YOU SPELL THIS S-T-U-I-P-D ALTHOUGH IT WILL HELP ECONOMY, ESPECIALLY THE FUNERAL INDUSTRY.

Sorry to be so blunt but it is guys like you that mess up a good day fishing for the rest of us when you have an accident and are not wearing your floataion gear. We have to stop fishing, fish you out of the water, and then tow boat back to a ramp or closest location for EMTs to meet us.

As for you not wearing a PFD, it is your decision.  As for not having others in your boat not wearing a PFD, that is manslaughter in my opinion, murder at worst.

A word to the wise is sufficient.  

[Sam]

Darcy,

One other thing.

In Canada, where you have free medical coverage, it could take you a few months to see physician or get medical treatment if injuries not severe.

If injuries are severe to you or others then you may want to consider traveling down to the Lower 48 for treatment. Immediate and excellent medical treatment.

As for what causes most boating accidents? Contact any department of inland game and fisheries in Canada or in the USA and they can tell you.

I would surmise accidents are caused by 1)alochol; 2) not watching what you are doing: 3) going too fast for conditions; 4) goofing off in boat with friends when under power; 5) stepping out or falling out of boat; 6) rough water due to a storm or high winds; and 7) lack of experience in operating a boat and not knowing boating safety.

Plus the fact that you can be the best boater on the water and some idiot comes along and hits you.

This happened to one of my stepson's couisins on his father's side of the family.

The boy was on a track scholarship at Penn State when a drunk boater ran over his boat on a Penna. lake.  One girl lost a leg; he was cut seriously on his leg and never ran track again; and the other two kids had injuries that required surgery.

After the accident he and his girl friend broke up and we were sure they were going to get married.  They were a cute couple.

When you fall out of a boat you are in a foreign environment that is not favorable to survival.

Please wear that PFD and always be careful and watch for the idots on the water that should not be on the water.

[fishfordollars]

Just be on the water when there is a recovery operation or rescue attempt being conducted and you will change your mind. Hellicopters are extremely loud when they are hovering 40ft above you searching for survivors or bodies. I have helped in one recovery within the last 12 months. It will make you keep all survival gear well accessed and having you wearing lifejackets anytime the big motor is running.

[simplejoe]

I make my kids wear there's as soon as they to the docks before getting into the boat and I never wore mine till my son asked me why I don't and I didn't come up a good enough excuse so I wear mine all the time now and ordered a self inflating one so it's more comfortable

Sam might a little harsh saying what he did, BUT he's just saying the truth

[darcy tucker]

Oh no I definitely do not mind the bluntness.  I was just having a hard time understanding why there are so many drownings in the "summer time" because I definitely realize the effects of hypothermia at other times.

I appreciate the responses.  Many of these Ontario lakes are shallow with lots of stumps and rocks hovering close to the surface.  Thanks to these posts I now understand the danger even if I am only operating an 8hp-15hp boat.

[fishfordollars]

Any boat is dangerous reguardless of the size or horsepower. You have to respect the dangers involved whether it is your fault or someone else's. You can be the safest person on the water and still be put into a life threatening  senario due to some other's actions. Be prepared and do not let anyone shame you for wearing life saving equipment.

[clipper]

I only saw one post above that mentioned connecting the kill switch to something on your body. When you loose steering on an outboard, the torque of the prop usually causes the motor to turn to one side which makes it go in a circle. This puts you in a situation of having to not only stay afloat, but also stay out of the way of the circling boat. WEAR A LIFE JACKET WITH THE KILL SWITCH LANYARD ATTACHED, even at speeds less than 20 MPH. I read an account from a boater either here or in the Georgia Outdoor News who experienced this and it seemed to be a terrifing ordeal. Safe Boating.

[skunked_again]

I only saw one post above that mentioned connecting the kill switch to something on your body.  When you loose steering on an outboard, the torque of the prop usually causes the motor to turn to one side which makes it go in a circle. This puts you in a situation of having to not only stay afloat, but also stay out of the way of the circling boat.  WEAR A LIFE JACKET WITH THE KILL SWITCH LANYARD ATTACHED, even at speeds less than 20 MPH.  I read an account from a boater either here or in the Georgia Outdoor News who experienced this and it seemed to be a terrifing ordeal.  Safe Boating.

this is a good point. getting in the water isnt the issue. how will you get back out of the water is. do you think, by yourself, you could re-board your boat in the middle of deep water? i know i couldnt until i had a ladder installed in the back off the boat. there are ppl who quit fishing with me due to rules of life jackets in my boat. it hurt my feelings for maybe 2 mins.

[32251]

Auto inflatable PFD saved me and my son from a sure drowning.  No fun being under the water and not even knowing which way up is. That was a great feeling when that CO2 cylinder blew and when I reached the surface I saw my son next to me.

People who don't wear a PFD...you also don't wear a seatbelt in your car???