04-06-2009, 05:37 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I have been tubing and tooning for over 50 years. The only "mishaps" I have experienced...or witnessed...have been minor leaks from fish spines or hooks. Oh yeah, I did hear first hand about a doofus that filleted his tube with a knife, trying to cut bait, using the top surface of his air chamber.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We can play "What if?" all day long, covering every potential problem we might ever have. The best policy is to use common sense, buy good equipment, and pay attention to what you are doing. That cuts way down on the disasters. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, "accidents", by definition, are things we had not anticipated and can happen through no fault of our own. So, it is good to have an emergency backup plan in place...just in case.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The good news, for most of us, is that the best fishing is usually close enough to shore that we shouldn't be too far from safety if we do experience a sudden loss of air. But, not always. That's why a PFD and added floatation is a good idea. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And, if you should unexpectedly have to make a decision as to whether to abandon your tube, toon or gear...or to stay with it...save yourself first. Your family and friends will appreciate it and you can always replace the equipment. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]On the positive side, even a drastic deflation will seldom send your craft to the bottom...unless you have a heavy battery strapped to it. There will always be some air trapped in the air chamber somewhere, that will keep things afloat. Probably even enough to float the angler too, until help can arrive. If not...accept the inevitable. It was your time and you just happened to be doing what you like best when it your number came up.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We can play "What if?" all day long, covering every potential problem we might ever have. The best policy is to use common sense, buy good equipment, and pay attention to what you are doing. That cuts way down on the disasters. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]But, "accidents", by definition, are things we had not anticipated and can happen through no fault of our own. So, it is good to have an emergency backup plan in place...just in case.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The good news, for most of us, is that the best fishing is usually close enough to shore that we shouldn't be too far from safety if we do experience a sudden loss of air. But, not always. That's why a PFD and added floatation is a good idea. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]And, if you should unexpectedly have to make a decision as to whether to abandon your tube, toon or gear...or to stay with it...save yourself first. Your family and friends will appreciate it and you can always replace the equipment. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]On the positive side, even a drastic deflation will seldom send your craft to the bottom...unless you have a heavy battery strapped to it. There will always be some air trapped in the air chamber somewhere, that will keep things afloat. Probably even enough to float the angler too, until help can arrive. If not...accept the inevitable. It was your time and you just happened to be doing what you like best when it your number came up.[/#0000ff]
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