My friends, the other day a friend asked if I wore a PFD while solo trekking in the BWCA. I replied that I do not, but it piqued my curiosity. Do other people do this? If so, what style of PFD and how do you work it in to your clothing/layering system. I’m genuinely interested to see the responses as it’s something I had never considered. Thank you…..

I would wear my canoeing PFD on late season skate skiing runs in the B-dub or the area around (ice access may or may not involve a plank). Someone pointed out the general folly of engaging in such behavior and I no longer extend the ski season to such extremes.

Not sure what I'd do if I fell in with my skis and harness on and couldn't get them off - pfd or not. So I don't wear a pfd, try to avoid times and places with thin ice, and follow others tracks when I can. I don't consider my approach particularly wise.

Would not wear one in the winter, if I am out on the ice it's going to be long into the winter and beyond any worry of breaking through.

I haven't winter trekked in the BWCA for many decades, but we definitely wear our PFDs when we go ice skating on our local lake at the beginning of the season.

I've never worn one (or seen anyone wearing one), but I always try to have ice spikes on me (ones that are on a sketchy coil cord and wrap around your waist/secure together). More worried about getting a grip to get out than sinking.

They also make floating ice fishing jackets and bibs now. Clam, striker, and DSG for sure have some. Should be warm and waterproof for kneeling in the ice, but probably not very streamline for while you're moving long distances.

I've never worn one (or seen anyone wearing one), but I always try to have ice spikes on me (ones that are on a sketchy coil cord and wrap around your waist/secure together). More worried about getting a grip to get out than sinking.

They also make floating ice fishing jackets and bibs now. Clam, striker, and DSG for sure have some. Should be warm and waterproof for kneeling in the ice, but probably not very streamline for while you're moving long distances.

Every trapper I've ever conversed with has gone through the ice at least once (I'm not one).

The one serious occasion when I went through the ice I avoided total immersion and got out of the water fairly quickly. The same abnormally warm air that weakened the ice with runoff cascading down onto the lake helped my partner (who also went in) and me avoid disaster.

I recently bought an inflatable PFD for the first time in my life. This thread has got me to thinking about its efficacy in the winter, as I'm solo 99% of the time.

we have in the past in maybe a channel area would have a rope around the waist and a trailer rope so the person behind could grab it. narrows can be dangerous anytime. Yes had pfd along on one trip.

I don't wear one. I fell through lots of times trapping early ice but always in shallowish marsh. Only time I ever wished I had one was mid winter fishing. Kind of a long walk out and around a point to where I fish. Been there many times already that season and good 5"ish everywhere.

I was bebopping back the same way I walked out right after dark. Actually walking on atv tracks. CRASH....I was hearing bubbles underwater. For some reason, I stayed perfectly calm and didn't inhale. I went totally under but raised my hands and started kicking. I went into a weedbed that I was sort of tangling in. My left hand was down pushing weeds and my right hand was raised as I tried to swim up in the weeds and it hit solid ice overhead.

Then I panicked. Short lived panic cause I instantly raised my other hand and it went right in the edge of the hole. I pulled myself up and got my elbows on the ice. I was so relieved I almost started laughing. I was able to pull myself up onto the ice kicking my feet. I was wearing regular car hart bibs and coat so I was completely soaked almost instantly. Once out, I grabbed my sled and walked the half mile or so to the truck. Was only around 30°f out and cl9se to the truck so it worked out.

If I were miles back in the bwca in -30, may have ended different. I now agree with dnr when they say no ice is safe ice. Always be prepared to build a fire asap. I carry several different fire starters including the self lighting road flares. If I'm going far with alot of gear, I make sure I have dry clothes/sleeping bag waterproofed and easy to reach. I moved from Alabama to Wisconsin 15 years ago and I was terrified of ice. First time I went ice fishing, I thought we were in a field where folks were camping until my friend got out of the truck and drilled a hole. After that, I cut a hole and plunged in every year for 5 years just to reassure myself I could get out. I think that's why I was so calm the first and only time my head went under. Please be safe, and be prepared.

Shane-wow your one lucky guy.

Oh I know. Lol. I had dreams about for a couple weeks.