There's a reason they make life vests. I have NEVER worn a life vest. I've always had them on the boat, but never on. This year, I've been out on the pond 4 times this year. After the mild stroke, I've been a bit smarter and worn my life vest. Today, I was going to unclog the pond drain again. I decided to turn around so I tightened the screw to keep the trolling motor aimed amidship. As I brought my second leg around, my knee hit the tiller and turned the motor to a 90 degree angle immediately dumping me in the pond. The john boat also filled up with water before righting itself. I reached up and turned the motor off and swam while pulling the john boat back to shore. Afterwards, I thought about how I ALWAYS wear a safety vest when in a tree stand to make sure I come home alive. I should have also ALWAYS been wearing a life vest. I don't care how good a swimmer you are, caca can happen to you too. So, do us all a favor and be safe on the water this year. I also spent a few minutes thanking the Lord for getting me back to shore alive.
Thank you for your post. My wife always. ALWAYS get on my case about my life jacket when I go float tube fishing. I love float tube fishing and plan on going Float Tube fishing in an hour or 2 to Claytor Lake here in Virginia. My problem is every time out on the water there's some azzhole in a Bass Boat will shoot pass me creating a wake to see what will happen. So far I've never been flipped over or swamped by a wave badly. But I do fear this childish behavior will cause some sort of injury to me or possibly my death. For the time being your wake up call, reminds us all that life is precious and can be slip past us in a blink of an eye. another thing to consider had you been hit by your outboard prop, that could have left you in a very serious way off. In the future have someone help or go with you. Without your comments to this blog. it could become a very quite place. God Bless you.
It sucks when you dump your self. Anybody see you? Seriously, good job on wearing the vest. Was it a bit cold?
Good lesson on the life jacket, and you pointed out another great lesson. For those using gas motors with some horses behind them, when that tiller or console slips and sends you overboard, you're in big trouble when the boat starts its "circle of death." Always wear that red kill lanyard when the engine is on!
saw a bad accident when i was a kid. boat hit the sandbar and the motor ripped thru a couple of people... they didnt make it. after that i have always worn a vest. glad you're safe and sound.
I know 2 guys that drowned near Dryden, Ont. several years back. No jackets on. They found the boat doing doughnuts out in the bay.
Dude ... did anyone get a video? Serious issue... but since you're okay... vids would be pretty entertaining. I do admire you for getting back out there after the stroke when a lot of people would spend the rest of their life terrified. I night fish a lot and do wear my vest (at night) anytime I am not anchored.
I recently adopted a new attitude for the rest of my life: "It's better to spend you dying years living, than your living years dying."
Okay after I snapped the wrist pin on my garden tiller, I went fishing yesterday afternoon even though it was really windy and very rough water. I wore my life vest and still caught 19 bass ranging from 1 - 5 pounds. My tourney 5 was 17 lbs... A pretty good 3 hour outing if I say so myself.
