|
You remember Buddy Doyle at our last tournament ? He took the time to put his life jacket on after discarding his flotation jacket. Did it save his life ? We’ll never know, but I think he felt better, after he fell in, that he had it as a backup if he didn’t get back into the boat.
There have been so many incidents where PFDs have saved lives, and none so recent, as those four football players who got caught in a capsized boat 28 miles from land. One of the members of that foursome got under the capsized boat and retrieved all of their life vests. The only survivor was the one man who kept his on and clung to the boat. All four might have been rescued had they all stayed with the boat with their PFDs on. He stayed because he didn’t want his mother to go to his funeral! A lesson, my friends, for all to follow !
Please see that you have your PFDs in really good shape, and make sure they fit you and are big enough to support your weight when you are in the water. Please carry two in your boat for both of the reasons I am going to tell you.
It is always possible that a co-angler might forget his, especially if he is normally an angler. Take pity (if nothing else) that he left his in his own boat because he normally fishes in it. The other reason I am going to tell you is that, in some states, and I believe Florida is included, is that you must wear your inflatable PFD if there is NOT a third life vest or jacket in whoever’s boat you are in. I am not totally sure of this one, but we have been cautioned at the Bassmaster opens, to keep the inflatable on in order to comply with local rules.
I plan on wearing my inflatable when I am alone in my boat from this day forward. My wife is always asking if I wear mine when I am fishing. Buddy’s wife asked him to get a ladder put on the stern of his boat before the next tournament.
Here is another tip. Try and figure out how you would get back in your boat if you did fall out ! It’s something we all need to be aware of while boating, especially in a solo mode of fishing.
I think this goes hand in hand with knowing how to change your tires on your boat. Just another planning session from your Safety Director ! Please think about these things as you go about your checklists for your boat, motor, and trailer! I believe that we will all be better prepared as we fish our tournaments and travel to and from the lakes we fish.
Page 2
Let’s all be better prepared for the 2009-2010 season that starts next month. I want to know all of you for many years to come. You are my friends, and I would hate to see anything other than a smile on your faces as we meet each month and swap stories about how we did what we did on any given lake.
Don’t do it because you think you know a better way, ...
|
Clearwater Bass Club, Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are owned by Clearwater Bass Club, Inc.