Floatation

[GBPackerNut]

So, I have been fortunate, and the two times I have been in, were when I was young (8 to 12 years old) and my dad or uncle was there to pull me out. With the reports of bad ice and people taking an unintentional swim, I have been thinking about flotation even more.

I know many people say get the AA suits that float for you, but right now I don't think I can afford it right now. So a couple questions.

How many of you use supplemental flotation, such as a vest when out on the ice?

If you do, do you wear it all the time? or only when moving around?

Is seems to sound like most people fall through when walking a good distance or pulling their gear across. Is that because once set up and holes are drilled, you know the thickness around you?

Just trying to get a better idea, the thought of breaking through really bothers me.

[jwmiller33]

in early ice situations i just wear a life jacket from my boat when walking out and walking around. as soon as we get set up and i know the ice is safe where we are at, i'll take the life jacket off

[shizzy]

Im kind of a wuss about ice and never really feel 100% safe on it no matter how thick. I have my life jacket on under my jacket more times than not.

[GBPackerNut]

Thanks for the information, maybe I wont feel like a goon with a life jacket when ice fishing...

[aanderud]

I like the idea of wearing a PFD while walking to and between spots. I've never worn one, but it's a cheaper alternative than buying an AA suit just because it floats.

However, wearing a life jacket while fishing would be overkill in 99% of situations. After you're set up and fishing in any normal spot (with at least 4-6 inches of solid ice), it would be almost impossible to accidentally and quickly go through the ice.

If the ice does give away, it will start to crack and buckle and you'll have plenty of time to grab your floatation device should you run into trouble. Of course remember that I'm talking about reasonable amounts (4-6 inches +) of clear solid ice, not honeycombed late season ice and not the 2 inches that some folks like to fish on.

[herefish101]

if you just pay attention to what your doing, where your going, and only go on the ice when it is right for your form of travel, 4" foot, 6" to 8" snowmobile-quad, 12" small car or truck, 16" to 18" for full sized trucks. then try not to go on an area where early snow piled up, always check with a local bait shop, the people who have problems fudge the rules in some way every time. just be safe, if you play it smart you could leave the lifejacket at home. those are not all my rules to LIVE by, that post would be huge, as it took most of my life to learn all these from my dad and uncles. if you dont feel safe, then you must not trust yourself. be safe.

[GBPackerNut]

[PoorWordUsage] out of me.

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it is heavy for its size (4900 pounds with me in it) So I really have no interest in driving on anything less than 16" to 24" call me paranoid, but I would rather be safe.

[GBPackerNut]

Thats good to keep in mind, I dont ever plan on fishing anything less than 6" thick, I was on ice one time that was 2" and it scared me.

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it is heavy for its size (4900 pounds with me in it) So I really have no interest in driving on anything less than 16" to 24" call me paranoid, but I would rather be safe.