I've been on this site quite a bit lately and haven't seen much on these forums about safety.  I'm sure everyone considers safety while fishing but I thought I'd take the time to put a few points down in case the unexpected ever happens.

1)  Wear your PFD.  If for some reason you ever lose your boat and are in water remember these things:

-Men naturally float on their stomachs, lift your head to breath.

-Women naturally float on their backs.

-If you must swim in waves, do not swim through them, you will get too tired.  Swim in the troughs and do not resist the waves; they are headed for land.

2)  Do not lose your cool in deep water.  It's like not looking down when climbing.  It doesn't matter how deep the water is, what matters is that you stay on top of it.

3)  If you must swim across (perpindicular to) waves use a side-stroke.  You will not tire as quickly this way.

Feel free to add anything below that I may have missed.

Also, mods can put this where they like.  I think it is important for boaters.

Don't be too proud to beach the boat if necessary!

Been theredone that twice

Anything you can do to avoid having to do what I posted, do it!

If you are under water and not sure which direction up is, blow bubbles and follow the bubbles.

How about a well stocked first aid kit and a fully charged - ready to go fire extinguisher.

Always check the weather before venturing on the water.

Get off the water when lighting is approaching or forecast.

Alcohol and boating is a deadly combination.

Be aware of your surroundings. Know how to get emergency services, and be able to give them an accurate location of where you are should the need arise.

Make a "float plan", with details of where you are going and when you will be back. If those plans change, use your cell phone, VHF radio or CB radio to notify the party with your float plan info.

Things happen. I fish mostly small ponds in this area. But, if I tell my wife I'll be home by dark and I'm not, she will need to know if I'm on pond A, B, C, or D, to notify emergency services.

They can't help you if they cannot find you.

Great posts.

I'll add a few notes for extreme circumstances:

- If you go under, do not thrash about. It's a waste of oxygen and energy.  Orient yourself and swim to up with purpose.

- If you are on a huge body of water and cannot see land, look for birds. They stick around the shore generally.

I seriously hope nobody ever has to worry about these things, but it certainly can't hurt to know them.

Always wear the kill switch when the boat is moving!

Don't be too proud to beach the boat if necessary!

Been theredone that twice

Done it one time. When the storm was over the boat was out of the water. 9 1/2 hours later I was picked up. It was a long, cold, wet night on that bank. Never want to do it again.