I just read that the most drownings on a holiday in the United States happen on memorial weekend. People forget that the lakes are still cold and they do not wear their PFD's. We just got back from a trip up in CNF and the lakes are very cold.. all the fish are pre-spawn. Please wear your pfd if you are out and about up north this weekend in your canoe. I love our BWCA community and want you all to be safe. Thank you! <3

Saw a paddler in an old school kayak and no PFD on Minnehaha creek today. I told him about the giant cottonwood strainer blocking the whole creek just above 34th Ave and he seemed unfazed. Not a good sign for the weekend.

Yes I saw a few this week with no life jackets.. that water is so cold right now....

Maybe part of the natural selection process... The worst is rescue officials and others trying to save them... grieving family and friends. The vest style of pfds are so comfortable that there is not excuse.

dr bob

I heard on MPR that someone pushed the 911 button on their spot on Friday but didn't know they had pushed it and a full out search and rescue was launched only to find out no one was needing help. The group thought they had pressed the ok button. MPR said that the typical response to a spot is about 2 hours.. I told the kids 2 hours is to long with how cold the water is right now. But it does beat 2 days.

Wear those life jackets!

quote adam: "Wear those life jackets!


"

Yep! Even when it gets hot and the water temps rise; wear them!!!

quote Canoearoo: "I just read that the most drownings on a holiday in the United States happen on memorial weekend. People forget that the lakes are still cold and they do not wear their PFD's. We just got back from a trip up in CNF and the lakes are very cold.. all the fish are pre-spawn. Please wear your pfd if you are out and about up north this weekend in your canoe. I love our BWCA community and want you all to be safe. Thank you! <3"

Our local lake has about 1 drowning every 3 years. Unfortunately it looks as if there will be one shortly. A man went overboard on Saturday and they haven't found him yet. Very sad!

FOFO

Took the canoe out today.
Got to the put in and looked at the flood waters and current ripping by.
Thought of this post . . .
And came home.
I'll live to paddle another day.

I always shutter when I see pfd's zipped up on a thwart. I told one guy once... follow your canoes example and wear your life vest.
At least though search and rescue will be better able to find the canoe.

quote nctry: "I always shutter when I see pfd's zipped up on a thwart. I told one guy once... follow your canoes example and wear your life vest.
At least though search and rescue will be better able to find the canoe."

With the water so cold as it is currently in BWCA the life preserver won't save your life if you capsize far out in a big lake but it sure makes it easier to find the body and recover it.

quote fishonfishoff: "

quote Canoearoo: "I just read that the most drownings on a holiday in the United States happen on memorial weekend. People forget that the lakes are still cold and they do not wear their PFD's. We just got back from a trip up in CNF and the lakes are very cold.. all the fish are pre-spawn. Please wear your pfd if you are out and about up north this weekend in your canoe. I love our BWCA community and want you all to be safe. Thank you! <3"

Our local lake has about 1 drowning every 3 years. Unfortunately it looks as if there will be one shortly. A man went overboard on Saturday and they haven't found him yet. Very sad!


FOFO"

The 47 yr old man was found this morning. No PFD. Jumped off of a pontoon into the lake at 2:30 a.m.
FOFO

I never use to wear my pfd until a 16 year old from our church drowned. He was on the swim team and was a good swimmer. But all it takes is falling out of a boat the wrong way and it is over.

It always amazes me the number of posters on these forums that state they do not where PFD's and even advocate for not wearing them.

We take 3 groups up every year from our men's ministries. We have only one fast rule. If you are on the water you are wearing a PFD. . .cinched up. Three times we have had capsizes over the last ten years. Two of the times would have been fatalities if not for the PFD's due to the fact we go mid May and mid September.

Great for insulation when you're cold and great way to be wrapped up in a wet cool item when it's hot. I see no argument for not wearing the most life saving item on your trip.

Also, I'm shocked that there aren't more drownings on the 4th of July...way more water activity I'd guess would skyrocket that number.

quote VaderStrom: "Great for insulation when you're cold and great way to be wrapped up in a wet cool item when it's hot. I see no argument for not wearing the most life saving item on your trip.


Also, I'm shocked that there aren't more drownings on the 4th of July...way more water activity I'd guess would skyrocket that number. "

NPR said it is because the water is colder in May

quote Canoearoo: "

quote VaderStrom: "Great for insulation when you're cold and great way to be wrapped up in a wet cool item when it's hot. I see no argument for not wearing the most life saving item on your trip.



Also, I'm shocked that there aren't more drownings on the 4th of July...way more water activity I'd guess would skyrocket that number. "

NPR said it is because the water is colder in May"

I do love some good cold water. Cherokee 2 weeks ago was pristine. Nothing like swimming in November and April.

When I was younger I loved swimming in the cold water.. now I can't handle it at all.

Most (not all) drowning deaths occur because of submersion or hypothermia. Wearing a PFD is a big deal. I get it. I choose not to wear one most times because I like to be mobile in the water once things hit the fan. Being a world class swimmer( or once was) a PFD to me is cumbersome once things hit the fan. Paddles lost, canoe lost could be death sentence without being mobile and able to retrieve those items. See Alton Lake a few years back with deceased found floating in PFD's. Too me, being mobile in the water and able to help the situation is better then being "high cuffed" and not able to move. This is just me. Try swimming fast ( or at all) with a PFD on- or recovering lost items. It doesn't work. But if your uncomfortable in water over your head,, wear a PFD all the time. And I do wear a PFD when the water is colder then 55F or in rapids. But most times you will see me without one no matter how comfortable they are. Being in water for myself with a PFD on is just as scary as most with one not on,,, just saying. A PFD on me is foreign in the drink,, I like to move ( and fast) to help the situation. It's what years of swimming makes me comfortable. Obviously this is not for everyone but you should practice the worst cast deal and see how you do beforehand.

I saw an article posted on Facebook about drownings are up last year in Michigan in the paddlecraft type boats. So kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. They attributed it to a lot more people getting into paddle sports especially cheaper kayaks and paddle boards. Most deaths attributed to no PFDs.

quote WhiteWolf: "Most (not all) drowning deaths occur because of submersion or hypothermia. Wearing a PFD is a big deal. I get it. I choose not to wear one most times because I like to be mobile in the water once things hit the fan. Being a world class swimmer( or once was) a PFD to me is cumbersome once things hit the fan. Paddles lost, canoe lost could be death sentence without being mobile and able to retrieve those items. See Alton Lake a few years back with deceased found floating in PFD's. Too me, being mobile in the water and able to help the situation is better then being "high cuffed" and not able to move. This is just me. Try swimming fast ( or at all) with a PFD on- or recovering lost items. It doesn't work. But if your uncomfortable in water over your head,, wear a PFD all the time. And I do wear a PFD when the water is colder then 55F or in rapids. But most times you will see me without one no matter how comfortable they are. Being in water for myself with a PFD on is just as scary as most with one not on,,, just saying. A PFD on me is foreign in the drink,, I like to move ( and fast) to help the situation. It's what years of swimming makes me comfortable. Obviously this is not for everyone but you should practice the worst cast deal and see how you do beforehand. "

And if you hit your head and are knocked unconscious, then what is the plan?
Not meaning to be snarky, actually honestly curious.

There are lots of accounts of strong swimmers that get into trouble for the reasons just mentioned. . .water temps, knocked unconscious, etc. We go to Seagull which is a large lake. It would be very easy to fall out of the canoe and have the wind take the canoe quickly beyond your reach.

The lojic of "I don't need a PFD because I am a strong swimmer" is the same as "I don't need seat belts because I am a great driver", or I don't need a bicycle helmet because I am a strong bike rider.

Two years ago we had a boating accident on a large lake near where I live. It was a power boat. The young man (20's) who died by everyone's account was a very strong swimmer. However the boat took a sharp turn and hurled him out of the boat without a PFD. He hit the water and was knocked uncoscious. He was gone before anyone could get to him.

Folks don't realize the cold of the water robs heat from the body that muscles require. In particular, arm muscles. Once your arms go numb or ridiculously fatigue what is going to keep your head above water? A PFD!

I do wear a PFD in rapids etc. for the head issue mentioned and under 55F water temp for obvious reasons. With warmer H20 temps -- if I'am going in the drink,, I wanna feel like I'am home in the water with what Iam used to-- that is all. I totally understand those who disagree.

This is my go to site that I recommend when I teach Ice Rescue classes. There is lots of good info on this site. So watch all the videos and read all the info. Also after 31 yrs on the fire dept on the Mississippi and Rock Rivers I have seen lots of boating accidents and drownings. I have yet to see someone pulled up from the bottom with a PFD on. Those that wear PFDS we rescue those that don't we recover their bodies. I have seen numerous cases of people just jumping or falling off of a boat and never resurfacing again. Beyond Cold Water Boot Camp