1st Rule of Safety...

[iClass]

DON'T BE STUPID!!!! 

Now don't take offense or disregard this post as someone just cutting up.  That is not the case.  ALL fatalities and all accidents on the water can be attributed to someone 'being' stupid.  That's not to say the person was of a low IQ but acted in a stupid manner at the time.

1. Did they wear life jackets?  No - then they were (you guessed it) Stupid!!
2. Was the vessel overloaded? Yes - Stupid!!
3. Drinking while operating the boat? - Once again - Stupid!!
4. Operating beyond their skill set? - Hmmmm - Stupid!!!
5. Unaware of weather coming in... getting repetetive isn't it. Stupid!!!
6. Not telling anyone where they are planning to go, what launch, what time they plan to return...again - Stupid!!
7. Etc., Etc., Etc.,

ALL, Yes, each and every single accident can be prevented.  All it takes is just a little time to think, prepare, observe and most importantly Don't be STUPID!!!
Every law, rule and regulation has been written in someones blood.

[Kal-Kevin]

 

The one that gets me is the person that do not have lights on their boat or do not use them,  STUPID!!!

[iClass]

I re read my post and it looked as if I were berating folks...Sorry not the case.  Just wanted to remind folks that we are involved in the most dangerous sport, yep fishing.  The reason is because of sensless accidents.  Please take some time and prepare for the worst case.  Open your eyes and don't take foolish chances.  It could save your life or someone you loves life. 

[unchained186]

The scariest thing for me is to be at a boat launch and watch these people that cant launch a boat with any common sense. Then  think to my self they are going to be on the water in just a hour or so when they finally get in the water its going to be dangerous

Also when they blast right through the no wake zones and I think if youre not paying attention to those signs what else are you not paying attention to

Also the ones that slow down just enough to throw a monster huge wake 10 times bigger than if they would have stayed on plane and went by Or just the ones that ride around like that with the nose of the boat in the sky   Either give it more gas or let off do one or the other
If that guy doesnt notice that monster wake he throwing because he has his head so far up his a!! what else doent he notice

I always say if you want to see the stupidest people in the world hang out at a boat launch

[RushFan]

I need to work on #6.  I tell people I'm going but not the specific area on the river.  Ususally text the girlfriend when I get back to the ramp.

[wvbassangler]

Some people just don't think, here is one example.    Fishing a tour drew boat #50 had a little fog on the water the guy that fished with me that day was like, I would be passing all the boats up if I was driving. I was like why risk it when the locks is going to wait for all of us to get in there before closing the gates. You could pass all of them up, but what would you gain (nothing) because your all going to be coming out of there at the same time  I held his sign for him the rest of the day 

[spetro]

DON'T BE STUPID!!!! 

Now don't take offense or disregard this post as someone just cutting up.  That is not the case.  ALL fatalities and all accidents on the water can be attributed to someone 'being' stupid.  That's not to say the person was of a low IQ but acted in a stupid manner at the time.

1. Did they wear life jackets?  No - then they were (you guessed it) Stupid!!
2. Was the vessel overloaded? Yes - Stupid!!
3. Drinking while operating the boat? - Once again - Stupid!!
4. Operating beyond their skill set? - Hmmmm - Stupid!!!
5. Unaware of weather coming in... getting repetetive isn't it. Stupid!!!
6. Not telling anyone where they are planning to go, what launch, what time they plan to return...again - Stupid!!
7. Etc., Etc., Etc.,

ALL, Yes, each and every single accident can be prevented.  All it takes is just a little time to think, prepare, observe and most importantly Don't be STUPID!!!
Every law, rule and regulation has been written in someones blood.

You da man!!!

[coldfront]

I need to work on #6.  I tell people I'm going but not the specific area on the river.  Ususally text the girlfriend when I get back to the ramp.

a cell phone is no substitute.

I work hard on telling folks not only 'where' I'm going...but when I leave, approximate route..and when to expect me back (or about 'when' to 'check up with me'..)

I also typically place a call after I get off the water to let them know about when I expect to make it home.


First of all, great post iclass...and no, it wasn't stupid...nor did I think you were berating anyone...

I won't fess up to 'which' stupid things I struggle doing while on the water...okay, I will...I tend not to put my lifejacket on when moving spot to spot at under 5mph...but underway with big motor...that's 'one'

[Alwims]

I and my passengers put our auto inflate life jackets on before we get in the boat and take them off when we get out. If you've ever seen or smelled what a drowned person looks like, you would too. Personally, that's not the way I care to leave this world. Even my best fishing buddy, Pistol Pete the Maltese dog wears his although his isn't inflateable.

[iClass]

I have life jackets for both of my dogs as well, we use them in the GOM as I don't take them in the Bass boat.

[Brudd]

If that is rule number 1 then number should be everyone else driving a boat is stupid, present company withstanding of course. It's kinda like boating's version of defensive driving. The lakes here are of large and get a lot of skiers and such. It's no big deal for them to just whip the boat around without looking to see what might be around them.

[tsmith35]

DON'T BE STUPID!!!! 

Now don't take offense or disregard this post as someone just cutting up.  That is not the case.  ALL fatalities and all accidents on the water can be attributed to someone 'being' stupid.  That's not to say the person was of a low IQ but acted in a stupid manner at the time.

Life jackets: wear 'em
CG plate: read it and comply
Safety lanyard: use it
Alcohol: leave it at home

The lakes I fished in TN had signs that said something like this:

148 persons have drowned in this lake:
3 wearing life jackets
145 not wearing life jackets

[spetro]

You mean one like this???
v
v
v
v

[Mike Cork]

The stats behind life jackets is staggering. Plan and simple, you don't drown when wearing one.