Hi y'all. It's been a while since I've posted anything, but I lurk from time to time and still enjoy this site very much. It is the most fun and informative site related to fishing that I have visited.

The title of this post is a result of a recent fishing trip. After a couple of years of little fishing due to health issues, I am now able to do a little fishing from a boat, though I have to be careful do to re-occurring issues of dizziness and blacking out. I am about as agile as a beached whale-which is what I probably resembled after falling from the boat while swinging away on a hook-set. I missed and went head first into 51 degree water, losing a pair of prescription glasses and trashing a cell phone in the process, making this hook-set very costly. I was in water around 20 feet deep and spent what seemed like a very long time submerged-my estimate is 15 to 20 minutes-but my fishing partner assures me it was only several seconds.

In spite of my physical (and my wife would argue mental) limitations, I was not wearing a floatation device. I HATE wearing a life vest, but have come to the conclusion that I have to wear some type of device or risk becoming a statistic. I think an inflatable is the only option. I tried a couple at the local Cabela's, but they all seem to be a too small for my full-figured body. Any suggestions on make and model would be appreciated.

I am also a large lad. You should look for one of these PFDs that you wear around your waist.

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/products/product.php?id=194

fishinfiend-thanks for the recommendation. I will check these out as soon as possible.

Just an update-I purchased the Stearns belt from BassPro, and have worn it on three trips. I am very happy with it. Thanks again fishinfiend.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_50112_100021002_100000000_100021000_100-21-2

Good to hear!

Good idea man. There are too many good folks getting killed by not wearing a vest.

I love my Mustang AI!  Pretty much all the pics of me this year, you'll see me wearing it.