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burrow1
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06/17/2019 11:21AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
That was a first for me took an unexpected swim on Sunday morning 6-9-19. Luckily in shallow water and was able to stand and retrieve all dumped gear.

Boy, that can happen so fast. My wife was trying to push the canoe sideways to miss a big submerged rock that I couldn't see and missed or slipped off the one she was trying to use as leverage and over we went. And yes, we always have our life jackets on. Was a very good lesson for our boys not to get too complacent.
 
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06/17/2019 12:59PM  
+1 on the pfd. When the water is cold, the pfd can keep you from swallowing half the lake as you try and catch your breath. Adding a couple layers of clothes or raingear only addes to argument to use them.
 
SevenofNine
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06/17/2019 01:27PM  
Glad that it was a shallow water immersion and you retained all your gear. Tipping your canoe is often pretty fast. A lot of the times I have come close to doing it or actually tipping was when I was getting into or out of the canoe. It happens fast.
 
06/17/2019 02:59PM  
SevenofNine: "Glad that it was a shallow water immersion and you retained all your gear. Tipping your canoe is often pretty fast. A lot of the times I have come close to doing it or actually tipping was when I was getting into or out of the canoe. It happens fast."




And the bigger we are the faster we fall... in.

I was always amazed how the water temp wasn’t an issue... until you try to stand up after being in it. Haha. Even if you just know you can swim, just having your pfd on can give you kind of a break.
 
straighthairedcurly
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06/18/2019 09:52PM  
Brr! Thanks for the reminder that it can happen to the best.
 
Portage99
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06/18/2019 11:53PM  
This happened to me in early spring. We were kind of dawdling along on a steady moving river, not too technical. I was in a solo canoe, and I misjudged current speed/tree stump. We were coming to a sandbar, where the river split (so the current picked up). Instead of paying attention, I was deeply engrossed in telling a story. I went to maneuver my canoe away from the tree stump and bam! I flipped just like that was in the middle of a sentence. Mouth full of ice, cold spring water. I guess the river was telling me to shut up.
 
SevenofNine
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06/19/2019 05:55AM  
And the bigger we are the faster we fall... in.

I was always amazed how the water temp wasn’t an issue... until you try to stand up after being in it. Haha. Even if you just know you can swim, just having your pfd on can give you kind of a break."

Ben, my former tripping partner who neared 300 lbs was notorious for tipping/swamping his canoe as he got in. I was just unfortunate enough not to get it on film. :-)
 
06/26/2019 03:24PM  
oh goodness, I hope the weather was warm
 
06/26/2019 04:27PM  
Wow, I’m glad everything turned out ok. I dumped on Rice Creek (northern part of Twin Cities) this spring in May about 100 yards from my takeout. I luckily was in only about 2.5 feet of water. Got hung up on a small tree branch and the current just flipped me right out. That water hit me like a punch to the lungs. Air temp was about 40 degrees and I was about a mile away from my house when I got ashore. That was a long, cold portage. The next time I was out a week later, I had a renewed respect/fear of fast moving water. I, like most here, always wear my pfd regardless of season.

Tony
 
KarlBAndersen1
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06/26/2019 07:51PM  
I have found - on two occasions - that the pfd is not all about whether or not you can swim.
When your feet are not on the bottom of the lake and you are NOT wearing the pfd, righting the canoe or handling gear dumped overboard is nearly impossible.
Don't be foolish - wear it.
Always.
 
06/26/2019 10:16PM  
KarlBAndersen1: "I have found - on two occasions - that the pfd is not all about whether or not you can swim.
When your feet are not on the bottom of the lake and you are NOT wearing the pfd, righting the canoe or handling gear dumped overboard is nearly impossible.
Don't be foolish - wear it.
Always."


Respectfully disagree. If you are inexperienced or in bad weather yes wear it. But calm days I'm not concerned at all. I wear just shorts in good weather and if it tips I'm just swimming like normal. Bad weather I stay close to shore. I don't know I get that it can be dangerous but I've been on the water all my life and feel I can judge it well.
 
KarlBAndersen1
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06/27/2019 08:24AM  
x2jmorris: "
KarlBAndersen1: "I have found - on two occasions - that the pfd is not all about whether or not you can swim.
When your feet are not on the bottom of the lake and you are NOT wearing the pfd, righting the canoe or handling gear dumped overboard is nearly impossible.
Don't be foolish - wear it.
Always."



Respectfully disagree. If you are inexperienced or in bad weather yes wear it. But calm days I'm not concerned at all. I wear just shorts in good weather and if it tips I'm just swimming like normal. Bad weather I stay close to shore. I don't know I get that it can be dangerous but I've been on the water all my life and feel I can judge it well."


Seriously? Sounds like you're just talking about going for a swim on a hot day. Now have another person in the canoe for whom you are responsible and 2-3 loaded packs out in the middle of a lake.
The original post included a wife and gear. And they had boys who also learned from the happening.
Inexperienced? At 65 I have the luxury of plenty of experience of going to many funerals of people who should not have died.
When death is a possibility - ALWAYS stack the deck in your favor.
 
06/27/2019 12:08PM  
KarlBAndersen1: "
x2jmorris: "
KarlBAndersen1: "I have found - on two occasions - that the pfd is not all about whether or not you can swim.
When your feet are not on the bottom of the lake and you are NOT wearing the pfd, righting the canoe or handling gear dumped overboard is nearly impossible.
Don't be foolish - wear it.
Always."




Respectfully disagree. If you are inexperienced or in bad weather yes wear it. But calm days I'm not concerned at all. I wear just shorts in good weather and if it tips I'm just swimming like normal. Bad weather I stay close to shore. I don't know I get that it can be dangerous but I've been on the water all my life and feel I can judge it well."



Seriously? Sounds like you're just talking about going for a swim on a hot day. Now have another person in the canoe for whom you are responsible and 2-3 loaded packs out in the middle of a lake.
The original post included a wife and gear. And they had boys who also learned from the happening.
Inexperienced? At 65 I have the luxury of plenty of experience of going to many funerals of people who should not have died.
When death is a possibility - ALWAYS stack the deck in your favor."


On a nice day I would treat a flip just like going for a swim...yes that is my reference. I do have others in the canoe. They can choose what they wish and low wind days temps above 50 it doesn't feel needed. The life jacket isn't far away if needed. Temps below 40 and or high wind yeah I agree that a pfd is a smart move.
 
mgraber
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06/27/2019 06:13PM  
What about a nice day and water that is 40 degrees? Personally I think that you are stupid(sorry), but you are entitled to your opinion. I am extremely experienced, an excellent swimmer, have been in a canoe for almost 40 years and I wouldn't canoe without a PFD. That is based on several experiences that taught me what can happen. Seeing a competitive swimmer almost drown 100 yds from shore will wake you up. Do you think that you can chase down a drifting canoe? You might be surprised. How far can you swim in 50 deg water? You might be surprised. Anyway, not really here to start an argument, just be safe everyone.
 
06/27/2019 09:13PM  
mgraber: "What about a nice day and water that is 40 degrees? Personally I think that you are stupid(sorry), but you are entitled to your opinion. I am extremely experienced, an excellent swimmer, have been in a canoe for almost 40 years and I wouldn't canoe without a PFD. That is based on several experiences that taught me what can happen. Seeing a competitive swimmer almost drown 100 yds from shore will wake you up. Do you think that you can chase down a drifting canoe? You might be surprised. How far can you swim in 50 deg water? You might be surprised. Anyway, not really here to start an argument, just be safe everyone."


I mean putting people down and then saying you don't want to start an argument is counter intuitive. Just because I'm not a worry wort doesn't mean I'm not prepared for those scenarios.
 
06/27/2019 09:35PM  
Meh either way burrow I'm glad it happened in a decent scenario to give that reminder of how fast it is :)
 
burrow1
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06/28/2019 07:03AM  
I'm glad it didn't happen on the next day as we were on Brule. We went the whole length in 3 hours and stayed on the island site on the west end. Big lake positive that I wouldn't have been able to stand and right the ship, so to speak.
 
gravelroad
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06/28/2019 08:41AM  
Glad you made it out OK.

One thing I learned years ago – don't stuff a PFD's pockets with anything that won't clear a gunwale while you're grabbing the far one. Don't ask me how I know ...
 
lundojam
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06/30/2019 09:37AM  
I get nervous when folks push on anything but water with their paddle. Things seem to happen right then. Glad nothing bad happened.
 
heypaddler
senior member (66)senior membersenior member
  
07/01/2019 11:18AM  
Good on you for wearing your life jacket. It never ceases to amaze me how many people I see up in the BW not wearing their life jackets. It's unsafe, irresponsible, stupid, illegal, and pretty much the only reason you'll die up there.

For those reading who don't wear theirs ALL THE TIME, please consider changing your habits.
 
07/01/2019 11:43AM  
heypaddler: "Good on you for wearing your life jacket. It never ceases to amaze me how many people I see up in the BW not wearing their life jackets. It's unsafe, irresponsible, stupid, illegal, and pretty much the only reason you'll die up there.


For those reading who don't wear theirs ALL THE TIME, please consider changing your habits. "


It is not illegal. You just have to have them in the canoe and accessible.
 
heypaddler
senior member (66)senior membersenior member
  
07/01/2019 12:31PM  
Correct, illegal not to have them in the boat. Stupid, irresponsible, arrogant, poor example to others, etc., to not have your PFD on at all times.
 
07/01/2019 12:47PM  
heypaddler: "Correct, illegal not to have them in the boat. Stupid, irresponsible, arrogant, poor example to others, etc., to not have your PFD on at all times. "


Or just a person doing their own thing without caring what others think ;)
 
07/01/2019 12:54PM  
x2jmorris: "
heypaddler: "Correct, illegal not to have them in the boat. Stupid, irresponsible, arrogant, poor example to others, etc., to not have your PFD on at all times. "



Or just a person doing their own thing without caring what others think ;)"


X2jmorris, I get why people telling you to wear a life jacket is preachy and annoying. I used to be like you too...a few of us have had friends like you and me...unfortunately some of those people aren't around anymore... I think that is where some of the passion in the replies are coming from. I am sorry they are probably having the opposite affect because of the tone but it is still good advice. Can't force ya to change but please reconsider.

T
 
heypaddler
senior member (66)senior membersenior member
  
07/01/2019 01:17PM  
x2jmorris: "
heypaddler: "Correct, illegal not to have them in the boat. Stupid, irresponsible, arrogant, poor example to others, etc., to not have your PFD on at all times. "



Or just a person doing their own thing without caring what others think ;)"


So you think it's fair to the rescuers who have to find your body? Fair to the loved ones you leave behind who worry? Yeah, a person doing their own thing but it doesn't happen inside a vacuum. Your actions (or inactions) affect other people.

You're arrogant.
 
07/01/2019 01:32PM  
heypaddler: "
x2jmorris: "
heypaddler: "Correct, illegal not to have them in the boat. Stupid, irresponsible, arrogant, poor example to others, etc., to not have your PFD on at all times. "




Or just a person doing their own thing without caring what others think ;)"



So you think it's fair to the rescuers who have to find your body? Fair to the loved ones you leave behind who worry? Yeah, a person doing their own thing but it doesn't happen inside a vacuum. Your actions (or inactions) affect other people.


You're arrogant. "


I prefer the term confident
 
heypaddler
senior member (66)senior membersenior member
  
07/01/2019 01:44PM  
x2jmorris: "
heypaddler: "
x2jmorris: "
heypaddler: "Correct, illegal not to have them in the boat. Stupid, irresponsible, arrogant, poor example to others, etc., to not have your PFD on at all times. "




Or just a person doing their own thing without caring what others think ;)"




So you think it's fair to the rescuers who have to find your body? Fair to the loved ones you leave behind who worry? Yeah, a person doing their own thing but it doesn't happen inside a vacuum. Your actions (or inactions) affect other people.



You're arrogant. "



I prefer the term confident"


I prefer the term arrogant.

It's not like wearing a PFD is all that restrictive, especially the newer ones that really take arm movement into account for design. I am confident as well, but understand and respect that mother nature and chaos theory sometimes have other plans.
 
07/01/2019 01:52PM  
heypaddler: "
x2jmorris: "
heypaddler: "
x2jmorris: "
heypaddler: "Correct, illegal not to have them in the boat. Stupid, irresponsible, arrogant, poor example to others, etc., to not have your PFD on at all times. "





Or just a person doing their own thing without caring what others think ;)"




So you think it's fair to the rescuers who have to find your body? Fair to the loved ones you leave behind who worry? Yeah, a person doing their own thing but it doesn't happen inside a vacuum. Your actions (or inactions) affect other people.



You're arrogant. "




I prefer the term confident"



I prefer the term arrogant.


It's not like wearing a PFD is all that restrictive, especially the newer ones that really take arm movement into account for design. I am confident as well, but understand and respect that mother nature and chaos theory sometimes have other plans. "


k
 
heypaddler
senior member (66)senior membersenior member
  
07/01/2019 01:58PM  
x2jmorris: "
heypaddler: "
x2jmorris: "
heypaddler: "
x2jmorris: "
heypaddler: "Correct, illegal not to have them in the boat. Stupid, irresponsible, arrogant, poor example to others, etc., to not have your PFD on at all times. "






Or just a person doing their own thing without caring what others think ;)"





So you think it's fair to the rescuers who have to find your body? Fair to the loved ones you leave behind who worry? Yeah, a person doing their own thing but it doesn't happen inside a vacuum. Your actions (or inactions) affect other people.




You're arrogant. "




I prefer the term confident"




I prefer the term arrogant.



It's not like wearing a PFD is all that restrictive, especially the newer ones that really take arm movement into account for design. I am confident as well, but understand and respect that mother nature and chaos theory sometimes have other plans. "



k"


Arrogance confirmed.
 
07/01/2019 07:13PM  
What helps me when posting or interacting with people is to sometimes think about “what result do I want from this post?”

It often makes me re-write or not post. I am not perfect doesn’t work every time :)

I’d just ask what purpose did the last 5 posts serve? Is anyone happier or gonna change?

T
 
07/01/2019 07:23PM  
timatkn: "What helps me when posting or interacting with people is to sometimes think about “what result do I want from this post?”


It often makes me re-write or not post. I am not perfect doesn’t work every time :)


I’d just ask what purpose did the last 5 posts serve? Is anyone happier or gonna change?


T"


"Looks like nothing is going to change
Everything still remains the same"
 
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