now you know three who do...

great post
glad it worked out

WildFerret sent this to me... thought it was excellent info and so true. Gets better and better the further into the video. Trust me, you don't have to fall through thin ice to feel this way I promise

Great video, Zombie.

Hypothermic waters r here again folks. Be prepared, have a plan and most all do t panic. It could save yours or someone elses life ;-)

Don't believe me just ask chess101 :-/

WOw zombie - scary story. Good that it came out ok for everyone. In addition to wearing the PFD, selection of color is important as already mentioned. I found this article and video - go to 10:18 if you want the summary. A high visibility green, then orange, then yellow, then red are the most visible colors on the water according to this study(s).

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/blog/2011...ater?country=25

Extend this thinking to your clothing as well and maybe you can even contrast these colors - such as a hunters orange hat or shirt with a fluorescent green PFD. This is especially important for those of us with kayaks that are hard to see - the sands, camo greens, olives, etc. If you have one of these boats, maybe consider some high visibility decals in the colors mentioned or even stripes. A flag is good but if you are upside down, its not going to do much for you.

Another consideration is clothing - wool next to your skin may help retain heat when wet better than cotton. I picked up some wool underlayers in the hunting section at academy - merino wool and not overly heavy....and they feel great - not itchy like it seems wool always was in the past. But be aware that there is no magical material once you are wet - they all will pull heat from you when wet.

For those who rely on bilge pumps, consider the use of an auto bilge pump instead of a manual - humans can fail and often do.

Man all the water I have been in here lately is still reading about 70 degrees! 59 is crazy. Glad you guys are ok that had to be a scary experience!

Respect the COLD WATER!

Its serious stuff!

NICE POST Zomb!

Wow Nate, glad you guys all made it. Scary stuff man.

I guess I didn't see that story the first time it was posted 2010.
It's always good to see the reminders come around this time of year.

you stay warmer with a pfd

I have a wetsuit since I used to fish in the Pacific Ocean. IT is one harsh environment and the wind can strand you out there unless you head in before it hits.

Then you have shore launches with waves that want to garage sale everything off your boat. A good thing to learn how to do with an empty kayak first and on a hot day.

I've been thrown out of my kayak numerous times and my wetsuit has kept me from freezing in the 51-54 degree water. Always wear a PFD and make sure it is tight. I've also seen guys slip out of theirs and panic!

I worked in LE for years. Can't tell you how many bodies we pulled out from that very area!

Well its late 2015 now. I learned to finally buy a good comfy lifevest & wear it while im on the water ;-/

A few yrs back a nice group of yak anglers gathered on big ol Lake Tawakoni. Chess101 & his buddy were the 1st to paddle out. Once they hit 25' FOW they found a few Blue Cats if i remember right. Chess101 landed a good one that day. Maybe he'll see this and post that pic! Only a few fish caught by the group. It was windy & cold. I arrived late & hadnt even pushed off yet. Before I could paddle out another yak angler & I see Chess heading back to shore. His friend has turtled out in open water & couldnt catch his yak. Chess saw thank God paddled over to him and he managed to grab Chess101's yak. I could barely see him hanging off the back while Chess was paddling his tail off to get his buddy back to shore. Boys it was cold!!! We started my truck up, turned the heat on high & grabbed towels from my truck. When they got close enough, we pulled him out of the water, stripped him down then threw him in my hot running truck. We put hand warmers between his legs & under his arms then wrapped him up in those towels.

We all waiting & watching him as he slowly regained his color back. If I remember Chess had to stop paddling at one point & tie his his friends hand to the yak cause he said he couldnt hold on any more. His yak finally landed on a distant point (drab green) which made it VERY HARD for me to see :~(

Gentlemen dont take cold or even cool water lightly or u & your family will be sorry. Cold water & high wind is a deadly combo. Please wear your vest and be prepaired. These and some dry cloth will help you get warm. take some hot chocolate, hot water or hot coffee in a thermos just incase. If u find yourself floating & shivering, DONT PANIC! Get out of the water fast & get warm at any cost. Blue lips & drowiness means u have little time to get warmed up.