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Boating in cold weather can be the beginning of tragedy — if you are not prepared. I learned this the hard way on an Ozark river several winters ago. We were “roughing it” by fishing the cold water and camping on sandbars at night.
The second morning of the trip promised to be a beautiful one with a light coating of new snow and ice on cliffs that bordered the scenic river. I was clicking pictures of a beautiful ice formation when the canoe just in front of us had an accident. The man in front of the ill-fated canoe ducked under over-hanging limbs heavy with ice. He made it, but the second man panicked and grabbed the branch.
A combination of him holding the limb and the river current made the canoe go sideways and tip. River water came over the side, quickly filling and sinking the canoe. Both men helplessly floated down the river current with only their life jackets to thank for keeping them floating. We paddled quickly to catch them, but suddenly one of the men drifted into a huge brush pile and his head tipped under the surface. He was an older man and too weak to pull himself up.
I was closest and jumped in to rescue the man who was quickly losing his strength in the chilling water. I managed to pull him from under the brush and then we were both floating down stream. By then my canoe partner had reached the other man and both were headed to shore. I used my remaining strength to angle up towards shore and slightly past the other canoe. I stood up on the rocks and my legs gave out, still weak from the chilling drop in body temperature.
We quickly built a fire and shivered beside the flames for a good hour. Thankfully, we had brought water-proof floating bags filled with extra clothing and blankets We survived, but only by the grace of God!
A simple fall overboard is the number one boating accident event that leads to the most fatalities for recreational boaters, especially in cold water. While some of these accidents involved other factors, being able to quickly get back in the boat without help isn't easy.
A fall into cold water can turn into a life-threatening situation very quickly. It doesn't take long for exhaustion or hypothermia to drain the life out of you. Boaters and anglers need to be prepared, especially when alone.
Winter and spring fishing can be productive, but deadly when your luck goes bad. The following are tips that might save your life:
Wear your life jacket. Many years of testing programs by various organizations found that a fully clothed adult with no buoyancy would have difficulties attempting to get back aboard. A life jacket may help you stay afloat until help arrives.
Go with the current. Falling in chilling water may be the kiss of death unless you react quickly. Never try to swim across a heavy current when turning over a boat or canoe, instead swim with the current and work your way towards the bank.
Ladders are necessary on bigger boats. The highest-ranked ladders all had fewer than three steps. The ideal ladder length, measured from the water's surface to the bottom rung, averaged 20 inches. Depending on a boat's construction or deck layout, most ladders performed well with one particular kind of vessel, so it's important to match the ladder to the boat. Attaching the ladder to the wrong spot on a narrow, lightweight boat can increase the chance of capsizing, especially if there is wave action. Also, many ladders are difficult to use on the first try. Take the time on a warm day to fine tune any adjustments, get in the water and use the ladder.
This is a small guide to surviving chilling water, but it will hopefully make you consider the dangers. I can tell you from experience that it only takes one unexpected swim in icy water to make you be prepared the next time, that is if you survive.
Boating in cold weather can be the beginning of tragedy — if you are not prepared. I learned this the hard way on an Ozark river several winters ago. We were “roughing it” by fishing the cold water and camping on sandbars at night.
The second morning of the trip promised to be a beautiful one with a light coating of new snow and ice on cliffs that bordered the scenic river. I was clicking pictures of a beautiful ice formation when the canoe just in front of us had an accident. The man in front of the ill-fated canoe ducked under over-hanging limbs heavy with ice. He made it, but the second man panicked and grabbed the branch.
A combination of him holding the limb and the river current made the canoe go sideways and tip. River water came over the side, quickly filling and sinking the canoe. Both men helplessly floated down the river current with only their life jackets to thank for keeping them floating. We paddled quickly to catch them, but suddenly one of the men drifted into a huge brush pile and his head tipped under the surface. He was an older man and too weak to pull himself up.
I was closest and jumped in to rescue the man who was quickly losing his strength in the chilling water. I managed to pull him from under the brush and then we were both floating down stream. By then my canoe partner had reached the other man and both were headed to shore. I used my remaining strength to angle up towards shore and slightly past the other canoe. I stood up on the rocks and my legs gave out, still weak from the chilling drop in body temperature.
We quickly built a fire and shivered beside the flames for a good hour. Thankfully, we had brought water-proof floating bags filled with extra clothing and blankets We survived, but only by the grace of God!
A simple fall overboard is the number one boating accident event that leads to the most fatalities for recreational boaters, especially in cold water. While some of these accidents involved other factors, being able to quickly get back in the boat without help isn't easy.
A fall into cold water can turn into a life-threatening situation very quickly. It doesn't take long for exhaustion or hypothermia to drain the life out of you. Boaters and anglers need to be prepared, especially when alone.
Winter and spring fishing can be productive, but deadly when your luck goes bad. The following are tips that might save your life:
Wear your life jacket. Many years of testing programs by various organizations found that a fully clothed adult with no buoyancy would have difficulties attempting to get back aboard. A life jacket may help you stay afloat until help arrives.
Go with the current. Falling in chilling water may be the kiss of death unless you react quickly. Never try to swim across a heavy current when turning over a boat or canoe, instead swim with the current and work your way towards the bank.
Ladders are necessary on bigger boats. The highest-ranked ladders all had fewer than three steps. The ideal ladder length, measured from the water's surface to the bottom rung, averaged 20 inches. Depending on a boat's construction or deck layout, most ladders performed well with one particular kind of vessel, so it's important to match the ladder to the boat. Attaching the ladder to the wrong spot on a narrow, lightweight boat can increase the chance of capsizing, especially if there is wave action. Also, many ladders are difficult to use on the first try. Take the time on a warm day to fine tune any adjustments, get in the water and use the ladder.
This is a small guide to surviving chilling water, but it will hopefully make you consider the dangers. I can tell you from experience that it only takes one unexpected swim in icy water to make you be prepared the next time, that is if you survive.
