A tragic accident occurred this weekend.  A co-worker and his 18 year old son were out bank fishing.  The father and son separated along the rocky bank.  When the father went to check in on his son he found him dead.  Apparently he had slipped and hit his head on a rock and drowned.  Do any of you use PFD's bank fishing?  What has been your expereince?  Can you make any recommendations?

Wow that's really sad. :-/

I don't wear a PFD at all.  I'm just careful but, freak accidents like this do occur..  unfortunately.  

Although the story is tragic, the chances of this happening are so

remote, I would not consider wearing a helmet or PFD for bank

fishing.

As sad as it is I agree with Roadwarrior.

Man I hate to hear that.

I am sorry to hear about this.  

As sad as it is I agree with Roadwarrior.

x2

This is an extreme sad tragedy. As sad as it is I have never seen anyone wear PFD while bank fishing. Sometimes the man upstairs calls and no matter what you can do if He wants you then you can't do anything about it.

I'm sorry to hear about your co-worker's son. My prayers are with the family.

That is terrible.  Sorry to hear that.  Its something I never even think about while bank fishing but its definitely always possible.

That is horrible. I couldnt even began to imagine how the father must have felt. One minute your enjoying life doing some fishing, the next you find your son dead. :'(  

Sad, sad, sad but the boys last memory was about a terrific Dad that loved him enough to take him fishing and that very thing won't go unnoticed in eternity, for him or for his DAD

God loves fishermen....look at Jesus.  

Big O

Tragic. May god help them through this sorrowful time.

That is horrible  :'(

I've thought about that sometimes when I'm fishing rocky areas - it's definitely possible for freak accidents like that to happen. When I'm fishing alone I'm always extremely careful around rocks and boulders. Sometimes there are big boulders that look sturdy, that aren't. Sometimes there's nothing you can do though.

That really suks! The only time I really think about the dangers of bank fishing is when I'm with my dad. He's not as agile as he used to be so I always make sure we go somewhere safe. He's too proud to tell me he cant make it so I dont put him unsafe situations.

I think this happens more with surf fishing on rocky points and stuff. But I know how easy it is to lose balance on a wobbly rock and fall. I've done it a few times this year.

No, never use as PFD or wear a helmet.

I am very cautious when walking in the James River as it is very unforgiving around the rocks and boulders so I wear a PFD.

But it is still very dangerous.

Tragic story but I can see how it can happen.

RW said it for me, but bank fishermen and waders walk on a lot of very slick footing. I wonder what the chances of something like that happening are?

Although the story is tragic, the chances of this happening are so

remote, I would not consider wearing a helmet or PFD for bank

fishing.

X3

Although the story is tragic, the chances of this happening are so

remote, I would not consider wearing a helmet or PFD for bank

fishing.

I agree with one exception, little kids. For example, when I fish off the dock or canal with my little boy who just turned 4, he is wearing a pfd no ifs, ands, or buts.

Very sorry to hear that.

That IS a tragically strange story. I feel for the family. Maybe something happened prior to the fall. Heat stroke or something similar. I wear my pfd 50% of the time and when I am boating alone. After that thread about the FLW guy who was ejected from the boat and was hurt bad I have been wearing it more often while driving my boat. I however rarely if ever have it on while I am not running my big motor, and never from the bank. I really think when it's your time to go it's your time to go.

Wow, that's something that I've never thought about.  There are some ponds that I don't fish alone in case of rattlesnakes, because they are pretty far from anyone who might happen across me if I were to be bitten.  But as for PFD's from the bank, not here.  I never wore a helmet or pads back when I was a kid skateboarding, I don't see why I would for fishing.

Terrible story though.  Anyone know the family?

Wow sorry to hear. My prayers go out to the family. If I am fishing somewhere with alot of rocks and strong currents I wear on PFD.

A tragic accident occurred this weekend. A co-worker and his 18 year old son were out bank fishing. The father and son separated along the rocky bank. When the father went to check in on his son he found him dead. Apparently he had slipped and hit his head on a rock and drowned. Do any of you use PFD's bank fishing? What has been your expereince? Can you make any recommendations?

Tragedy is probably not powerful enough of a word to describe that incident.  I would have to say horrifying would fit the bill as well.  

Pertaining to your questions...

Nope, not PFD here.    Extra care and diligence in knowing the physical surroundings.  Proper footwear is a must.  

Reccomendations.. don't underestimate that the world we live in is a dangerous place.  Human beings are fragile and we, as humans, sometimes forget that.  Scout you're fishing areas.. test footing... be mindful of the weather, don't carry too much gear for the area you intend to fish...etc etc etc.

How sad! That man has my prayers to cope with this tragedy.

If there was "someone" watching from above, why would he take a kid at that point of his life? I hate statements like that. We're fragile creatures and accidents happen. I agree that at least his last minutes were of great value doing what he loves and with his obviosly loving father. Not every kid gets that kind of memory unfortunately. My prayers go out to his father. None of us can imagine the pain he's enduring.

I have a 3 yr. old who is my best fishing buddy, and I buckle him in anytime we're near the water and he rarely leaves my site. You're ignorant if you don't take some responsibility for your young ones who don't know any better. He'll be wearing one until he's smart enough to understand the risks he's around.

I'll even put one on myself with the kill switch clipped on if I'm boating alone too. I also bought a fly vest/life jacket that I wear when the creeks are raging, or I step into colder waters. Respect what you're doing and the people who care for you. Convenience and comfort are easy to compromise when life is on the line.

Sorry for the lengthy response. I swallowed my gut reading this post, and hope we can all learn from this tragedy.