Weather / Equipment Failure related emergency procedures/fixes/ect........

Linhardt

Linhardt

Active member
Supporter
There has been quite a few notable deaths, missing persons, mishaps, etc on duck hunting outing because of extreme circumstances this season. I thought it would be a nice idea for people to share their ideas, plans, equipment, etc. to deal with such circumstances. We all know standard things like PDF's, First Aid Supplies, letting someone know where you will be and when you should be back, etc. But what are some of your ideas/procedures that will keep you alive or not stranded during duck season.

Things like:
[*]Special clothing or procedure for clothes that handle getting wet during dunking, accidental swim, etc.
[*]Special things to bring in boat for repairs, etc such as the wax ring idea for holes (which I learned about a few moments ago via another post).
[*]Survival equipment/procedures for boat capsizing and swimming ashore.
[*]Overnighting in the extreme weather
[*]Or any other things that could save a life during a dangerous situation.

This could include things for dogs as well.

I am sure there are hundreds of things that I do not currently know that could save my life that I wish I did. So lets hear yours and possibly save a life.
 
Good morning, Anthony~

Here a just a couple of Old School basics to get the ball rolling. I always assume I am on my own and so would need to get myself out of trouble.

1. Oars that fit the boat and allow me to row back to the ramp in a hard blow IF the outboard fails.

2. My canvas cockpit cover. In case I had to sleep overnight in the boat, I can lash the cover closed and keep wind and water out - and some warmth in.

3. A "storm anchor". A large enough anchor and plenty of rode so I can hold my position against wind or tide. The anchor is lashed into chocks under the foredeck - and the rode is lashed with light line so nothing is fouled when I need it most.

Newer School:

Fleece under garments, heavy neoprene waders and a float coat will all do a good job of retaining heat. All could be removed, wrung out, and put back on if needed.

All the best,

SJS
 
Last edited:
On top of the standard safety equipment, I keep a blanket, dry clothes, food, a fire starter and both regular flares and an electronic flare. I agree withe the post about the anchors and I carry a few anchors and a lot of rope. Since I've had kids I started carrying a personal locator.

View attachment IMG_4376 (451x800).jpg
 
I agree with the others and carry much the same. I also carry a Blackcat heater in a shell box in the boat. I've never needed it but it's nice to know it's there. Hypothermia is nothing to fool with. I fell through the ice in a marshy area pheasant hunting with my brother in law in January a few years back. The water was only chest deep but the truck was about 500 yards from where I went in. By the time we got back to the truck he was damn near carrying me. I could not even open the door to the truck. To this day I think about what I could have done if I'd been alone and the options are few.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coleman-Blackcat-5033-Catalytic-Propane-Heater-/272096292236?hash=item3f5a33ed8c
 
Good ideas friends....my motto..."Be prepared".
I'm curious how those small propane heaters work in temps below 20 F?
As I've aged I realise my physical limitations and realise I'm too soon old, and too late smart.
1. Ligman and I don't hunt to the closing shooting hour very often any more...preferring to motor in while it is still light. 2. If during your hunt you feel the wind is starting to make your run-in precarious, pick up and go in. 3. Although I hunt alone a times, I was on a long jump shoot wading last fall, 6 months out from my 2nd total hip replacement, and stepped in a hole and jarred my body pretty good. I thought, "what if I just dislocated my hip, while I'm a mile from my boat" and hunting alone...I did say "too late smart", right!
Our passions for the marsh and the hunt can effect our judgement,
thus putting us in peril to use these great tips.
4. I've come to realise the hard way of the dangers of the treestand when bow hunting, and cold water and temps. Planning and preparing next year's duck hunts already!!!
 
This is a great topic and we should all be well versed in emergency response.

[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]
[*]Special clothing or procedure for clothes that handle getting wet during dunking, accidental swim, etc. [/font]
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Always have extra gloves, hats, shirt available to change into... ALWAYS! Warm hands remain nimble and useful, a warm head thinks clearly!

[*]Special things to bring in boat for repairs, etc such as the wax ring idea for holes (which I learned about a few moments ago via another post).
Don't overlook the obvious.... A hand operated bilge pump is well worth the space it occupies. Keep it handy. Also, a few wooden plugs and some squares of canvas can be used to temporarily seal holes due to impact. A mallet completes your emergency kit. Don't count on the perfect sized rock to be on shore when you need to drive a plug in after beaching your leaking boat.

[*]Survival equipment/procedures for boat capsizing and swimming ashore.
[/font]
Keep a change of heavy clothes, a couple of road flares (wrapped in an old orange T-shirt), a can of heavy soup, heavy gloves, and a wool hat in a waterproof bag. The bag should be left in the boat in an area where, if the boat sinks, it will float freely and can be used as another floatation device. I keep an old wool blanket in the bottom of the bag for overnighting.
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica][*]Overnighting in the extreme weather[/font]
Get hands dry, put on wool hat, use road flare to start a fire. Then, change our of cold/wet clothes. Stay positive!!!! Since you've planned, help is on the way and they know where you are.
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica] [*]Or any other things that could save a life during a dangerous situation.[/font]
Number one: DON'T be unwilling to call for help. Pride can kill. Phone emergency services BEFORE things get too far out of hand. Pride can also send us out into weather we're not prepared for. Be honest with your hunting partner, call the hunt if you're not certain.
Number two: Have a float plan with someone you trust to check in with you. Let them know when you're off the water and safe. Make this a habit. Then, if/when you don't call they can initiate help even without a call.
Number three: Remember number one!!!
 
Good ideas friends....my motto..."Be prepared".
I'm curious how those small propane heaters work in temps below 20 F?
Click to expand...

During late deer season I've had my particular unit fired up and working when the outside temp was in the mid to upper teens with no problems. I'll note I was not in the open. I was hunting late winter bow season from a ground blind. It kept the ground blind warm enough I could shed a couple of layers. I have been in a duck boat that had a 20lbs propane setup and watched as it spit little balls of fire but the temp was close to 0. We didn't stay out long that day as the ducks had apparently found shelter too.
 
One of the things that was made clear in the Learn to Return two day plane crash survival class here at work, was if it's not on your person when the SHTF then its nearly useless for a real emergency. A Bic lighter, a pocket knife, my cell phone in a Lifeproof case, are always on me when outside. Not on in my pack, or in a box in the boat, but in my pockets.

For boating emergencies, specifically if the boat flips, stay with the boat. Use it to help you stay afloat. Its easier to see a boat than your tiny frozen head sticking up above the surface. However, it you are one of those dumbazzes that removed all the flotation from your boat to make more room then, well, good luck.

If you want an over night kit, include a small poly tarp with about 50 feet of paracord to build a shelter on shore or in your boat. Also get a couple of the SOL emergency bivy bags. They are plastic and you can sweat a lot. The SOL emergency blankets are also handy as they do not tear as easily as the supper cheap mylar sheets.

If you are in a boat in water that is more than knee deep wear a PFD. Also pick up some small LED flashers to clip on the vest. There are variety of them on the market. My non-inflatable PFDs have pockets to store stuff. I have the LED lights on a piece of colored net mending cord so they don't get away.

Based on what I was told by a former Coasty who had pulled a few dead bodies from the ocean: wear a PFD that is brightly colored. She noted that the dark green or camo ones are great at keeping you floating but cannot be seen at a distance due to their lack of contrast with the water. Your PFD and your tiny head are just one pixel against tens of millions of pixels of the ocean.

Don't over load your boat. A safe load is also water condition dependent. Many guys using small john boats don't know their safety limits. My few trips in friend's small narrow john boats convinced me that they are too dangerous on anything but a small pond.

Get a Lifeproof case for your cell phone and keep it inside your coat/waders. Even if the signal is weak, a short text can get in or out and will allow for a cell tower triangulation to find the phone.

Wear plastic next to your skin. And by plastic I mean polyester fleece. Next choice would be merino wool. You can take it off, ring it out, and put it back on and it will continue to dry out.

Here is a good link on getting wet and what to do after. Its very clothing dependent.

http://indefinitelywild.gizmodo.com...epare-for-extreme-cold-weather-sur-1737644998

And don't forget luck with a heavy dose of fortitude.

http://www.adn.com/article/kenai-girl-credited-saving-friends-tustumena-lake-accident
 
I text my wife leaving launch arriving at my spot ,returning and arrival at the truck. knowing I will check in keeps the dispatcher happy. Many times it is hours before anyone knows your in trouble.
 
This is a useful product to have along. As has been mentioned, you are a tiny speck when searcher are looking for you. This has saved many lives over the years. I carry one when ice fishing and hunting. Small size package and doesn't add much weight. I also know these guys were looking at incorporating some of our technology to make a radar signal see the streamer and make it even easier to be seen at long distances. Don't know what came of it but it was cool to work on.


Mark W


http://seerescuestreamer.com/#home
 
Make a written float plan, leave it with someone who knows when to expect you back. Mine go to my wife, often via email. When we get into conditions that worry me--ice, cold--I also print a copy and leave it on the dash of my truck, visible from the outside.

It includes: time of departure, estimated return, who is on board, where we expect to hunt, my wife's contact info, my cell number.

I need to get a float coat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top