Long story short, my son got in a situation where he lost his balance in the boat and fell in and  when I realized he was going in, I went right right behind him holding on to him.  After a few seconds of trying to figure out just what my orientation was. the CO2 cylinders on our PFDs blew and we surfaced and made it over to the bank.  All was fine and a bad situation is now just a lesson in safety.  Whewwwwww!!!!!!  

Wear em' ALL the time!!!!    It will all happen VERY quick.  You would never be able to grab a PFD and put it on fast enough.  

I am glad everything worked out alright.  That truly is a scary situation.

Glad to hear ya'll are both ok.

I'm going to buy 2 of them now after hearing that story, I 'm glad you guys are ok. My kids always wear theirs but I don't and I should

My dad and I have been getting better about keeping these in the boat and wearing them on the water when we go down to the river.  On lakes we will wear it if it is gas motor, if it's just trolling generally we will keep them handy but not wear them.  It's mainly for runs.  But I couldn't agree more that they are an important item to have aboard.

Actually, Virginia is making it mandatory now that you have as many PFD's in your vessel as you have occupants, plus one throw.  The game wardens and so forth and patrols on the water are getting very strict about this and will make you return to launch if it is not in your boat.

Glad to hear the situation went smoothly and you both are safe.  Lesson learned for those of us that do not currently use them.

I'm going to buy 2 of them now after hearing that story, I 'm glad you guys are ok. My kids always wear theirs but I don't and I should

GREAT!!!!!!!

I can honestly say that if we had not been wearing them we most likely would not have made it.  

I think PA already has PFD laws, I have 8 PFDs( 4 adults and 4 youths)  those cheap orange ones. Then, our personal ones are nice. But I still don't wear mine because it's uncomfortable but I think those self inflated would be alot more comfortable so I would forget about it and leave it on all day.

Glad you guys are ok. To many times we hear of these things and the outcome is not as good. You were being watched over that day.

Stay safe out there,

Snag

You were being watched over that day.

Snag

We said a prayer that God would give us a safe day as we pushed the boat off when we got started.  Along with the PFD, I highly recommend it every time you go out.

Glad ya'll are ok. Unfortunately some never learn the leson until it is too late.

Actually, Virginia is making it mandatory now that you have as many PFD's in your vessel as you have occupants, plus one throw.

That has always been the rule.

I'm going to buy 2 of them now after hearing that story, I 'm glad you guys are ok. My kids always wear theirs but I don't and I should

GREAT!!!!!!!

I can honestly say that if we had not been wearing them we most likely would not have made it.  

Were you running full bore or something?  Where did the boat end up and why didn't you guys swim to it, was shore closer?

Glad you guys are ok

Shore was closer than the boat by the time the PFD blew and we surfaced and got our wits about us.  My son is mildly mentally handicapped.  The reason I bought the auto inflate PFD is that I could not really trust that he would be able to react quickly in an emergency to pull the inflate cord. Looking back, it paid off for both of us.

One thing I did learn is that when the PFD inflates, it is much easier to swim if you stay on your back.  The device is inflated on your chest and really designed to keep your head out of water if you are unconcious.  Took me a few minutes to realize that just lying on my back was much easier to swim.  I have not been swimming in about 40 years so you can understand why this was so threatening.  You can bet that from now on, things will be even more safety oriented.  I have had an eye opening experience about what can happen in an instant on the water.

Glad to hear you are both ok. I have PFDs that auto-inflate as well, I spent quite a bit of money but piece of mind knowing we are safe is worth it.

I bought the auto inflator just for the scenario you were in

SUPER glad to hear that you and your son safely survived that horrible ordeal!!! I wear my inflatable PFD ALL the time when I'm on my float tube/mini-pontoon irregardless of how close I am to shore/safety and how dumb it may look to others in the area. I am a strong swimmer and with fins on would have no trouble reaching shore if I fell/slipped into the water. However, my life is worth every ounce of safety that I can have and that's why I wear it. When I'm using my bass boat I normally don't wear a PFD but I just may start since I'd be more apt to fall off that than slip out/off of or my float tube.

Once again...I'm VERY glad to see that you and your son survived that harrowing experience!!

so these self inflateables keep your head out of water? I had read that they didnt do as good a job as those old school orange ones.

or are the more expensive ones better at keeping your head up?

Thank God every thing worked out  for the best. I had a friend who went over board hit his head  on a rock did not make it. Yes it happens very fast auto is the way to go. It don't help if you are not wearing it.

so these self inflateables keep your head out of water? I had read that they didnt do as good a job as those old school orange ones.

or are the more expensive ones better at keeping your head up?

The PFD we had on were the Stearns 1330 model.  They originally sold at WalMart for over $100.  We were in WalMart one day in the Fall and they were closing them out for $33 each.  I bought three of them for my wife, son and me.  Best money I ever spent in my life.  

They did a great job and again I learned (the hard way) that with these units that inflate on your chest and wrap around your neck, that it is better to lay on your back and swim.  If you were not consious, you would be pulled upward and your head would be above the water at all times.

Buy the BEST one you can buy.  What is your life worth?

Wow. Thanks for sharing that. I meet a lot of anglers who don't bother with a pfd. And we have drownings every year. I'm not going to be one of them. Glad you and your son weren't either.

I put one on only when I am going to a different position to fish but when im casting and stuff u take one off....... :-[i've fallen into the water before but never had anytrouble, just had my friend help me back in or climbed in myself.

I am glad to hear that your both ok.  ;D

We had a guy in our club who fell out of his boat on the St. Clair River and if you have ever been there it can move very fast at times. It caught him off guard and his vest inflated, thank God. He was ok and someone took him down river to his boat where he finished the tournament in second place... It may not always be comfortable or maybe not the most cool looking thing to wear but no body looks good dead. Wear it, maybe look funny but LIVE....

Snag