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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Grayson, Georgia
    Posts
    1,063

    Default Another reminder to wear your life vests!!!!!!

    Just read a 14 year old boy was swimming in Lake Lanier a few weeks ago and went under in front of his family and a good many people. Father jumped in to save him and met the same fate.

    I consider myself an EXCELLENT swimmer, but things like this really make you wonder if it is ever worth the risk to not wear a life jacket when out of the boat.

    I read that they were swimming to a island or something similar. Article said it was about 60 yards away.

    Don't mean to be Debbie Downer, but be careful folks!!
    -Mark
    2005 LSV
    Tow w/:
    Volkswagen Touareg V8
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    "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, bc your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

    -John Wooden

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Newnan, GA
    Posts
    186

    Default

    I have a rule that you can not jump off my boat with out a life jacket on or in your hand. I do not allow swimming without something on or in your hand.

    I did do a bone head move a few weeks ago camping. I anchor off shore and had to swim to go get my bow line. (No life jacket on) I got tired and could not swim anymore. I had to float on my back until I got my breath back. The entire time I'm thinking to myself how stupid I was for doing that.

    A quick lack of judgment can cost you your life!!
    2015 Supra SE 550

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Henderson, NV
    Posts
    7,020

    Default

    I really go by 2 schools of thought on this one:
    if you are just jumping in to cool off or take a leak, I'm fine with no jacket on. that's your call as to whether or not you think you can float around for 5 minutes and not go under with a boatload of people around you.
    if you are jumping in and plan on swimming around and venturing more than 10ft or so away, then I recommend you put on a jacket, but again, I leave that up to the individual.

    we have docks at the lake I frequent and I spend hours in a day jumping in the water to cool off and don't ever wear a jacket, but the occasions that I have had to swim to another dock or across a small cove, I jacket it up.

    I really leave it up to the individual person. I know my limits and think that others should know theirs.
    '06 Supra Launch 20SSV-gone but never forgotten

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Belton, Texas
    Posts
    2,607

    Default

    That's a terrible story. Spouse is bad enough but to lose a child and spouse in same incident is almost unthinkable. It's the time of year thou that these stories become much to frequent.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Jason

    Go Hard or Go Home.......it's MOOMBA time!!

    2009 Moomba Mobius LSV

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Newnan, GA
    Posts
    186

    Default

    When I was a kid my my dad took my sister and i swimming. The place was called indian Lake, the name has changed many times over the years. As I was swimming I felt something brush up agains me. I told my dad and he felt around and pulled this guy out of the water. He called for a life gaurd and they got him on a board and brought him to shore. I will never forget what that guy looked like, he was swelled up and blue and puple. The water depth was only chest deep on an adult and that guy still died. I guss that is why I am so anal.
    2015 Supra SE 550

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Snellville, GA & Lake Sinclair
    Posts
    8,419

    Default

    yz2, honestly, I don't know how you ever got back in the water. That's beyond comprehension.

    Lake Lanier is beautiful but can be a scary place. There were 17 deaths on that lake last year. It's claimed to be the busiest man-made lake in the Southeast and is frequented by many inexperienced people and has such a huge array of watercraft from kayaks to 40ft cabin cruisers to houseboats and many of the dreaded jet skis.

    Thanks guys for the thoughts. Certainly has made me re-evaluate my rules.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    Springfield Missouri
    Posts
    3,391

    Default

    With the water temperatures still on the cool side, hypothermia can be experienced if you in the water long enough. Cold water can also affect your muscles and your motor skills.

    http://www.usps.org/national/ensign/...ypothermia.htm
    1998 Mobius
    310 HP PCM
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  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Grayson, Georgia
    Posts
    1,063

    Default

    Sandm: I am on the same line of thinking you are. I think it is extremely important for everyone to be well aware of their limits. But its the children that we all need to be mindful of. Even us adults can overestimate ourselves. I remember two years ago swimming up on Lake Hartwell after I jumped off one of their cliffs maybe 50 yards. The water was kinda rough for some reason and while I didn't get into any trouble, it did make me tired. I thought at that point that this is how people drown and ever since then you will rarely see me swim any distance without at least a light ski vest on.

    Zabooda: Interesting you bring that up, in one of the articles the Fire Chief in Hall County (Where Lake Lanier is located) said that a person can die of hypothermia within an hour in 50 degree water. Almost doesn't sound possible, but I think the point of being safe around water remains the same.
    -Mark
    2005 LSV
    Tow w/:
    Volkswagen Touareg V8
    Mods: Stereo, Stainless Cup Holders and Thru Hulls, Chrome Steering Wheel, EZ Nets, Moomba Etched Cleats

    "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, bc your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

    -John Wooden

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Henderson, NV
    Posts
    7,020

    Default

    I dont have kids on my boat but maybe twice a year. Every parent that has been on the boat has made their kid, irregardless if age and abilities wear a jacket, even when just cooling off.

    One has to be aware of alcohol consumption as well and make recommendations as needed..
    '06 Supra Launch 20SSV-gone but never forgotten

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Katy, TX
    Posts
    6,368

    Default

    from reading all this it seems im way to relaxed on this subject. i dont really have any rules for this and have never even given it thought. most of the time when we anchor and jump in to swim people want a jacket or something to float on without anyone having to tell them, it just makes it easier to handle your beer when you dont have to tread water the whole time.

    when people jump in to cool off or pee thee usually never get too far from the boat or just hang off the swim platform.

    hell i hung off the platform while we idled through a no wake zone to relieve myself...i know some of yall are thinking im an idiot right now haha
    David

    2017 Moomba Mojo Max Surf Edition, 2 Pair Wetsounds Rev10s powered by an SD2, 6 pair Wetsounds XS650M and Wetsounds XS12 powered by SD6 all controlled by a WS420. 2 Lumitec SeaBlaze X2 Spectrum underwater lights

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