A reminder to stay safe in the water - I could have drowned today

[DeepseekerADS]

I added a bit of this caution to my thread today about finding a cell phone in a river swim hole.

I was working my way to a rope swing, and I usually stop a chin deep. Well, I got there and ran into very, very strong current. I had my Excal on straight shaft strapped to my right arm, carrying my heavy large Stealth scoop in my left hand.

So there I was being carried by the current to an area of unknown depth. I was tip toe dancing, trying to reach out with my Stealth to pull me into shallower water, but the current was keeping me from reaching out with it. My right arm was useless with the Excal strapped to it.

And I was not wearing a flotation vest. I just kept dancing and struggling with the scoop and somehow got myself out of the current.

I assure all of you, next time I hit a river I'm going to be wearing that vest.

 

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[redcobra8u]

Yikes!

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Yikes!

Oh yeah! Got a wake up call on that one. I didn't panic, but knew absolutely I was in danger.

 

[CASPER-2]

I wear a kayak/dive jacket - makes me more buoyant - plus I wear mask and snorkel - so if I get in that kind
of trouble - I can go for the ride until I see shallower bottom
good thing you where not wearing waders - when I was a kid came real close to losing a hunt partner that stepped in a hole and filled up and just managed to
get to the surface - a few others died in the 70s pushing it in waders - they got gold at their limits and pushed it thinking there was more out deeper
good idea would be to make a floating sifter with an inner tube with rope - you could just lay on top and go for ride
or wear a snorkel vest - its a pain but better than drowning

 

[ecmjamsit]

Tie a rope to your self and a tree or large rock.

 

[Magnum (using a) PI]

I wear a manual inflation, CO-2 life vest - very light weight, forget I'm wearing it but its there if I need it

 

[louie41]

Thank goodness you're okay and it worked out. Definitely Gotta be careful in those waters up to that deep. Potomac area has strong current and a lot of debris being pushed just under the surface that you can't see that might snag you and pull you under. Be safe

 

[DeepseekerADS]

I have a manual CO-2 life vest hanging on a hook about 8 feet from where I'm sitting. I'm going to be wearing that vest from here on in these rivers. I don't need to be stupid twice!

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Tie a rope to your self and a tree or large rock.

My fear with that is it might pull me under the water in the force of the current.

 

[ChampFerguson/TN]

I do Not detect in the water above waist hi without my CO2 inflatable on. I was not long ago Lifeguard certified and am a strong swimmer, but that means nothing when Neptune bites you.

 

[flgliderpilot]

I've had similar happen on the beach when I stepped off a sand bar into deep water. Discovered just how hard it is to swim with a scoop and a detector.

 

[RVRoamer74]

glad you got out of the close call....you will live and learn, and carry on....good hunting ADS...

 

[The_Piratess]

Yes glad you're ok!!!

 

[CaptEsteban]

I wear a manual inflation, CO-2 life vest - very light weight, forget I'm wearing it but its there if I need it

YEP !

 

[dsdigger]

Deepseeker, glad you got out okay and don't forget the vest, it's there for a reason, and it ain't for fashion! GL HH

 

[boogeyman]

My fear with that is it might pull me under the water in the force of the current.

Don't do this ever! Sounds like a good idea until you get your leg (s) tangled in it (done that)or something like a large log comes down between the shore & you (done that). Want an eye opener? Jump in your pool with your hunting clothes on & tread water or eggbeater as long as you can. Bet you're pooped quicker than you thought. Now add in current debris etc. etc. Co2 vest with oral inflator = cheap insurance!

 

[OBN]

Glad your Ok ... I could tell a few stories but if you seen your life pass before you there was a lesson learned for sure. Be Safe my friend...

 

[Carolina Tom]

Glad that you are OK. Be careful.

 

[gamiller]

I added a bit of this caution to my thread today about finding a cell phone in a river swim hole.

I was working my way to a rope swing, and I usually stop a chin deep. Well, I got there and ran into very, very strong current. I had my Excal on straight shaft strapped to my right arm, carrying my heavy large Stealth scoop in my left hand.

So there I was being carried by the current to an area of unknown depth. I was tip toe dancing, trying to reach out with my Stealth to pull me into shallower water, but the current was keeping me from reaching out with it. My right arm was useless with the Excal strapped to it.

And I was not wearing a flotation vest. I just kept dancing and struggling with the scoop and somehow got myself out of the current.

I assure all of you, next time I hit a river I'm going to be wearing that vest.

I know the feeling and you described it so well. We are supposed to learn from our mistakes,
if so I should be genius by now ( I'm not) .

 

[releventchair]

Deepseeker indeed. Too deep maybe.
While I'm no longer wading ,the modern braided fishing lines are crazy strong. Get tangled in enough around an ankle or two and you are in deep doo- doo.
Monofilament was bad enough.

Wear a flotation device ,but don't expect it to cover your well being beyond an increased under certain conditions ability to float.

Glad you are above water.