get-n-birdy wrote:Glad you're all ok! Went in when I was younger, in my teens, with my dad in a canoe. Once you've been in, you never want to go back in. My brother calls life jackets body finders. You escaped death, or worse, living through being in charge of an activity that could have killed your son and brother. Not trying to be an a$$ hat and I'm sure you learned from it.
Here's some simple tips we've learned and hold true too, especially in late season;
All decoys go in bags and get tied and cinched up, period. They float and support a lot of weight. If that needs to be explained, don't go hunting after the first 3 weeks of the season.
Rope is never left out in the open, of any kind. A knotted up screw is dangerous and sucks barnacles. Knotted up ankles or legs is a Polish noose, sorry to any nort'easter mpls Pollock's.
Every body needs a floatation cushion. Extra one ain't a bad idea either.
An extra life jacket is always a good idea.
If it has a motor on it, it gets a bilge pump. If they freeze, brake, crack or have any issue it gets fixed no questions asked. It can help make a bad situation not as bad, but still bad.
A small double ender is a great tool for pulling decoys and gear, as long as you are careful keeping the rope out of the water and anywhere near that screw on the motor.
Very sound and practical advice!!!
I will add, if you are wearing waders and go overboard, immediately bend at the knees. It will prevent a lot of water from going into your waders and fill the bottom with trapped air. That will give you buoyancy and keep you afloat. I've practiced this routine during the summer months and it works.
