01-05-2010, 05:30 PM
I have the SOSpenders that auto inflate. Since no one is ever allowed on my boat without PFD's it is light weight and you probably could fall through without hardly getting your hair wet.
As for the biggest worry it's definitely drowning. Exposure really doesn't present as big a problem as you would think as the cold water slows down you metabolism. There was a video that has been going around for years done by a professor where they chop holes in the ice and test real people for hypothermia. They advise allowing your arms to freeze to the ice if you think you are going to be there a while.
They advise that if you go in the first thing to do is come to the surface and take a deep breath and relax. Panic and shortness of breath is your enemy!
Remember, If you fall through do not attempt to climb back onto the ice. Inch up as far as you can and then begin to kick your legs as if you were swimming. This will bring you right out onto the ice without further breaking complications and stregnth issues. When you are out, belly crawl away from the hole.
I always carry my safety ice pics around my neck as well 100' of climbing rope in my sled. You can never be to cautious!
Don
[signature]
As for the biggest worry it's definitely drowning. Exposure really doesn't present as big a problem as you would think as the cold water slows down you metabolism. There was a video that has been going around for years done by a professor where they chop holes in the ice and test real people for hypothermia. They advise allowing your arms to freeze to the ice if you think you are going to be there a while.
They advise that if you go in the first thing to do is come to the surface and take a deep breath and relax. Panic and shortness of breath is your enemy!
Remember, If you fall through do not attempt to climb back onto the ice. Inch up as far as you can and then begin to kick your legs as if you were swimming. This will bring you right out onto the ice without further breaking complications and stregnth issues. When you are out, belly crawl away from the hole.
I always carry my safety ice pics around my neck as well 100' of climbing rope in my sled. You can never be to cautious!
Don
[signature]