... Dan

I wear a Mustang inflatable all the time in the boat. If I pass out or slip I want to float looking up at the sky and not my feet.

May he rest in peace. Please wear your PFDs. Two years ago, I was launching my kayak on a boat ramp wearing crocs. I learned that day that Crocs plus algae equals ice! I went down like a ton of bricks. Luckily I fell forward while holding rods. I caught myself with my fists on a big rock. It hurt but Didn’t even break the rods. I was very lucky I didn’t fall backwards as there wasn’t a soul around. I now put on my PFD when I exit the truck. And I take off my crocs.

I am afraid I could not swim 50’ if I had too . I put an inflatable on when I get in the boat and it comes off when I am out of the boat .

Very sad, always heartbreaking to hear things like this.

Slim1, experience and age have brought you wisdom!

At age 74 I have been thinking of wearing an inflatable vest when in the boat. Are you guys comfortable that these will work when needed. Do u use the standard vest when running or just rely on the inflatable? Appreciate any info.

So far I haven't heard yet of any drownings of someone that drowned while wearing a life jacket of any kind.

I had heard that the inflatables had a significant fail rate. Wondering if true

If I remember correctly Jerome Mateus was alone when he fell out of his boat at Welch. I was told an old friend in our bass club was scheduled to fish w/ Jerome that day and had to cancel. Weighed heavy on him for years. Supposedly when they found Jerome's boat the front pedestal was broken off at the floor and laying in the boat along with one sandal and his rod with a bass still hooked. They figured he set the hook and when the pedestal broke he hit his head before falling out off the boat. Numerous friends including the guy that had to cancel loaded up boats and went down to help game wardens look for Jerome and I believe it took several days before he was located. RIP.

So do seat belts and so do air bags.....heck so do parachutes!! But are you jumping out of a plane without one?

There is some level of maintenance required for inflatables. Gotta replace the CO 2 cartridge at some point. My Mustang has a 5 year CO2 replacement requirement. I'm confident it will inflate. That being said, I wear a Mustang foam vest in the winter. It acts as another level of insulation, but it's too hot for the summer. I've been in the water with that foam jacket and float like a cork.

Foam jackets also have flotation ratings, people should research that when purchasing one. If you're going to wear one, get one with a high flotation value, it may cost a bit more, but a lot cheaper that a funeral.

This poor fellow died falling out of his boat last year on Table Rock. No PFD.

DROWNING REPORT - NEXT OF KIN NOTIFIED - THIS IS TROOP D'S 4TH DROWNING FOR 2023. SUBJECT WENT FISHING AND PRESUMED TO HAVE FALLEN OVER THE SIDE OF HIS BOAT. AFTER TROOPER'S SEARCHED THE AREA, HE WAS LOCATED AT 1055 HOURS ON 06/27/2023. PRONOUNCED BY BARRY COUNTY CORONER GARY SWEARINGEN AT 1145 HOURS ON 06/27/2023 AT THE RECOVERY SCENE.

I considered Mr Hensley a very dear friend. I have known him since he was a teenager. He discovered bass fishing about 10 years ago and when I say he went ALL IN, he went ALL IN. He moved up to E Tx so he could be closer to the lake he loved. He was always the first one in line to HELP people and volunteer. In fact, he ran a camera boat at the last TTT event at Rayburn if I am not mistaken. He even left this world helping a friend put out some brush in the Mill Creek area. Rest ez cowboy.