09-16-2009, 02:56 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I am sure that there are a lot of scenarios in which a worn PVD might have altered a situation on the positive side. One thing it will never overcome is carelessness, stupidity or completely unforseen accidents.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have had a couple of cases in which my PFD helped others, besides myself. One was a guy who got dumped when a power squadron idiot swamped his small boat...and his (unworn) PFD was trapped inside the upside down boat. He was okay holding on to the side of the boat until he was rescued, but he felt better about having the PFD I tossed him.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And, talk about far out freaky situations...I was fishing on a cold mid November day on Cherry Creek Reservoir in the middle of Denver. A couple of hot air balloons took off from the parking area and flew low over the lake and then lifted up over the dam and down the other side. The third one took off okay but something went wrong with the propane valve and they quickly lost altitude and dropped onto the cold lake. The basket began to fill with water and sink. I kicked my tube as fast as possible and got there before it was too late. There were two people in the balloon. One did not know how to swim and the other was already suffering from hypothermia. We got my PFD on the lady who could not swim and I held their hands onto the outside of my tube while I got them to shore...just as help arrived. I did not get that PFD back, but I am glad I was there to provide it, and that I had it. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Like I said. I have never even been close to needing one myself. But, I would never advise anybody to go on the water without one.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As far as the guy dozing off and rolling into the water. I know that can happen. But in a float tube you just drift with the breeze until you wake up. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Another scenario that suggests itself is "medical emergency". Any tuber who has any kind of ailment or condition that could lead to seizures or fainting should really never go on the water alone. And, even if they are with someone they should be wearing their PFD.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have had a couple of cases in which my PFD helped others, besides myself. One was a guy who got dumped when a power squadron idiot swamped his small boat...and his (unworn) PFD was trapped inside the upside down boat. He was okay holding on to the side of the boat until he was rescued, but he felt better about having the PFD I tossed him.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And, talk about far out freaky situations...I was fishing on a cold mid November day on Cherry Creek Reservoir in the middle of Denver. A couple of hot air balloons took off from the parking area and flew low over the lake and then lifted up over the dam and down the other side. The third one took off okay but something went wrong with the propane valve and they quickly lost altitude and dropped onto the cold lake. The basket began to fill with water and sink. I kicked my tube as fast as possible and got there before it was too late. There were two people in the balloon. One did not know how to swim and the other was already suffering from hypothermia. We got my PFD on the lady who could not swim and I held their hands onto the outside of my tube while I got them to shore...just as help arrived. I did not get that PFD back, but I am glad I was there to provide it, and that I had it. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Like I said. I have never even been close to needing one myself. But, I would never advise anybody to go on the water without one.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As far as the guy dozing off and rolling into the water. I know that can happen. But in a float tube you just drift with the breeze until you wake up. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Another scenario that suggests itself is "medical emergency". Any tuber who has any kind of ailment or condition that could lead to seizures or fainting should really never go on the water alone. And, even if they are with someone they should be wearing their PFD.[/#0000ff]
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