How to prevent falling out of a boat and drowning.

[cyclops2]

I use chest waders and a comfortable full sized vest. When fishing ABOVE the dam in spring high water ? I use a 100' line between me & a shore tree.  Been there and slipped on a slippery flat rock section.

[Jig Man]

?

[cyclops2]

Some people fish alone in desolate rivers at times.  I have been almost hit by a almost fully submerged 300 to 500 gallon steel tank on the Delaware River. Fishing buddy screamed loud enough to alert me to the danger coming. 

Another time I slipped off of a long Red Shale ridge across the river. Luck saved me from going over the dam.  The Delaware River around my area looks very harmless.  

 

Got a foot wedged under a rock in a very narrow small creek. 20' across and 3' deep with some current.  Pushed me backwards with my foot stuck on the bottom and my knees bent downstream. I can see the sky thru the water holding me underwater. Panic Then I could not get free or get my mouth up to get a breath of air.

I jammed my fly rod into the bottom hard enough to get a breath of air.  I would never have been found. I now carry a Ski Pole looped onto my wrist when wading. 

 

Luck always beats skill.  

[Captain Phil]

There comes a time in everyone's life when fishing alone is not advised.  I'm almost there now, but I still do.  Throughout my years of fishing, I have walked past a few dead bodies laid out on the ramp.  Mostly it was older anglers who went fishing in the Everglades and fell or were thrown out of the boat.  Of all the safety items I have in my boat, by far the best is a pocket toilet.  This little bottle has saved me numerous times. Hanging over the side in a rocking boat is one sure way to go swimming.  My bass boat came with a ladder.  So far I have not had to use it.  It can happen to you!

[scaleface]

I have fell out of my boat at least twice. One time I was throwing a casting net , did a couple of ballet spins and off I went . Dad freaked out and came rushing to the front hollering at me to take his hand . I did not have the rope tethered to my wrist and was hollering at dad, "I'm a good swimmer, grab the rope before we lose it ." He said "hell with the rope give me your hand." I finally convinced him to save the net from sinking then climbed back in . 

[volzfan59]

@Captain Phil is 100% correct about knowing when it's time to stop fishing alone. Other than sitting on the bank, I hate to admit it, but I think I'm there now. I'm just 64, but due to a few concussions in the past I have some reasonably serious balance issues. I'm a good swimmer, wear an inflatable, never thought about tethering to the boat.

 

 

[Captain Phil]

43 minutes ago, scaleface said:

I have fell out of my boat at least twice. One time I was throwing a casting net , did a couple of ballet spins and off I went . Dad freaked out and came rushing to the front hollering at me to take his hand . I did not have the rope tethered to my wrist and was hollering at dad, "I'm a good swimmer, grab the rope before we lose it ." He said "hell with the rope give me your hand." I finally convinced him to save the net from sinking then climbed back in . 

 

This post reminded me something that happened on a fishing trip years ago.  It's worth telling.  A buddy and I took my boat to Bimini one summer morning.  Bimini is an island 50 miles off Miami. You have to cross the gulf stream and it can get pretty ornery at times.  We had fished all day and were anchored behind an island when a thunderstorm came up.  To relocate the anchor, my buddy walked around the cabin to get to the front of the boat.  As he slowly walked, he slipped and fell overboard wearing his full rain gear.  He was a former Coast Guard serviceman and in great physical condition.  I expected him to come to the service as I looked into the water.  When he did, the look on his face was sheer terror.  He shot up his hand and I dragged him into the boat.   When things calmed down, he told me his rain suit had held him down and he thought he was going to drowned.  If I had not grabbed him on the first try, he would have.  Remember that if it happens to you.

[A-Jay]

2 hours ago, cyclops2 said:

I use chest waders and a comfortable full sized vest. When fishing ABOVE the dam in spring high water ? I use a 100' line between me & a shore tree.  Been there and slipped on a slippery flat rock section.

 

1 hour ago, cyclops2 said:

Some people fish alone in desolate rivers at times.  I have been almost hit by a almost fully submerged 300 to 500 gallon steel tank on the Delaware River. Fishing buddy screamed loud enough to alert me to the danger coming. 

Another time I slipped off of a long Red Shale ridge across the river. Luck saved me from going over the dam.  The Delaware River around my area looks very harmless.  

 

Got a foot wedged under a rock in a very narrow small creek. 20' across and 3' deep with some current.  Pushed me backwards with my foot stuck on the bottom and my knees bent downstream. I can see the sky thru the water holding me underwater. Panic Then I could not get free or get my mouth up to get a breath of air.

I jammed my fly rod into the bottom hard enough to get a breath of air.  I would never have been found. I now carry a Ski Pole looped onto my wrist when wading. 

 

Luck always beats skill.  

 

Doesn't sound like there's BOAT in any of these scenarios.

A-Jay

[Jig Man]

That is why...?

[cyclops2]

I claim the 86 th Amendment.   😁

[A-Jay]

8 minutes ago, cyclops2 said:

I claim the 86 th Amendment.   😁

Cool ~

Perhaps use that to stay safe too.

A-Jay

[T-Billy]

Falling overboard into frigid waters, with air temps that will also take you to a state of hypothermia rapidly is a big concern for me, as I fish in these conditions a good bit. I always keep a pair of insulated coveralls in a dry bag under the deck in these conditions.

 A recent addition is a Striker Ice, Trekker Series coat and bibs. I can't recommend them highly enough. Lightweight, very warm without being bulky, and the insulation also provides flotation to keep you afloat for up to two hours.

 They also function as cold weather rain gear. I've fished comfortably in a steady 40 degree rain while wearing them.

[VolFan]

In the ‘cheap but easy’ addition to your stowed dry clothes, throw in some of the chemical hand warmers in their original packaging. Tucking those in all the pockets of whatever you’re putting on can really help you get/stay warm if you are far from the truck or home.

[roadwarrior]

2 hours ago, A-Jay said:

 

 

Doesn't sound like there's BOAT in any of these scenarios.

A-Jay

 Hmm...