WEAR your PFD!

[echo1er]

Please fellow kayakers Please if you don't wear one. Start wearing one.

http://www.waaytv.com/news/local/story/Man-Drowns-in-Franklin-County-Creek-UPDATED/lqjz98xixk6kVoSbSlmsuA.cspx

[Devildawgjj]

Unfortunately, they're like seat belts insofar as not everyone will wear'em; no matter what the law says. :(

[Enceladus]

That is tragic. Before my wife let me get my kayak she made me promise both her and my 7 year old son that I'd never fail to wear my pfd. That's a promise that will never get broken.

[Gigafish]

Thanks for the warning. Time for a safety check.

[jorluivil]

Its unfortunate that no matter how many times this happens it continues to happen.

[mtnbykr2]

You guys know the drill...:reel:condolences to the family, God speed

[J3FFro]

Sad.. Even though how good of a swimmer you are, you'll eventually get tired and drown so wear your PFD! I always make sure I have my PFD on regardless of the depth of the water.

[NEEFFF]

sucks how a simple mistake can take a life. at least he left doing what he lovedd.. condolences to the family r.i.p

[tacmik]

One more thing I learned. Although I practiced self rescue. I did not do it with my pfd on. It is a lot harder with it on. Practice self rescue while wearing everything you would have on as if you were out fishing. It is different.

[min-va]

RIP

Out in the bay, most people on the kayak didn't wear PFD, i just don't get it.....is your life..maybe you never going to use it, but when shit happens, you'll be glad you wearing it.

I wear it every time i went out, you can never under estimate the danger of water, people get drown for all kind of reasons, even you know how to swim.

[Jim Sammons LJKF]

I see way to many guys out there, guys that should know better, guys that others are looking up to, not wearing PFD's and wearing waders without a wading belt. Please don't follow that example, wear your PFD at all times and wear a wading belt if wearing waders. You could go your entire life without having an issue on the water, but if you do have a problem out there you will be glad you have on your PFD and belt.

People drowning while kayak fishing is bad for my business. ;)

[sasha]

Well as someone who is a bad swimmer I put my PFD on before I Put the kayak in the water and it comes off after i get on shore. I always try to make sure my deck is as clear as i can keep it. So if I go over there is nothing for to get tangeled with. On one of the landings i got close to shore ready to jump out of the kayak into the water and guide it in cause of waves. Didnt pay attention to the paddle it fell into the water the leash got both my legs and a large waves pushed the kayak up and forward. it took my legs from under me and I were pulled by the kayak with my head under water. It happened so fast, First I'm standing in water just above my knees. In less then a blink of an eye Im getting pulled under water feet first. Lucky me the water wasnt deep and I untangled my self within a sec. You bet now everytime I go in i prep the kayak for a roll . Everything is out of the way and I check it twice. Live and learn or should i say learn and live...

[bigbarrels]

http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/the-373/NRS-Chinook-pfd-life/Detail

would have died two Springs ago if I didn't have the above PFD on while swimming for 45 minutes 1.5 miles off La Jolla point (and get picked up by a boat before hypothermia really kicked in)


Not only should you always have your PFD, but remember your sump pump, VHF, phone in a dry bag, whistle, and whatever else you think might save your ass.

Just my .02

[Mr Fishback]

RIP Francisco. First time out... Praying for your family, man.