A Little Safety Insight From One of Our Own

[Ray Esboldt]

Guys and gals, read Walli1's story in the open water forum. And, then read his follow-up. They both are reminders of what cold water is like.

I know we bang the safety drum quite a bit here. Some might say too much. Well, for any guy that has been through the ice or watched a sheriff drag a lake for someone that could have been any one of us, it's worth taking some heat. I'm going out this weekend, heck a bunch of us are going out this weekend. Let's all exercise a bit of caution. I really don't want to read about any FMer or anyone else that didn't make it back.

[hanson]

Ray-

Thanks for bringing Walli1's story up in the Ice Fishing Forum. For you readers who don't go to our other forums, you should definitely check out the links Ray provided. They seriously could save your life someday.

Walli1's story really sends shivers down my spine because I fish the Mississippi & Minnesota Rivers religiously in the summer, and something like that could easily happen to me, or anyone that spends time on the river.

The biggest lesson to take from this is to ALWAYS wear a PFD while on the river. I'm not saying you need to wear one while anchored (thats your choice), but when under power, you should have one on. The more time I spend on the river, the more time I find myself wearing one. It just makes sense.

Be smart, use caution, and be safe while out on our lakes and rivers guys!

[mltjanderson]

pfd are not just for summer time. I personally chose to wear mine on the ice till there is a good 6 plus inches of ice. but I can't swim. Mark

[BobT]

The closest I have come to getting an idea of what it might be like was when we attempted to go swimming one year while there was still ice along the north side of a lake. The water was probably less than 35 degrees. All I can remember is that it was the shortest and coldest experience ever. It takes your breath away and then you only have a few minutes before your muscles and joints begin to stiffen.

Bob

[Ace]

I totally agree with the comments above. It's definitely worthwhile to have stories like this posted. Coming from a guy who has been on the south side of the ice you really can't exercise too much caution...I know I take a lot less for granted on early ice now than I used to. It even kept me off the ice for a couple seasons. Scary stuff when that water instantly knocks the breath out of you... I'm glad I had somebody there to help me out of the hole Definitely not worth a fish. Use your heads out there and be safe!