Tragedy

[fuzzygrub1611]

Tragedy on Whitmore Lake. Man drowns ( no vest). Two year old daughter in critical condition at U of M. What the **** was he doing with his daughter on the water in this weather. (water temp 41F)

[djkimmel]

Not thinking maybe... or just very unlucky. Very sad.

Why I try to be preachy when it comes to safe driving and boating.

Had the third really bad, multi-ambulance wreck in the last month at the end of my street this morning. People won't just slow down a little and stop running the lights... and other people have to pay for their selfishness.

[fuzzygrub1611]

Only reason the girl is alive is she had on a vest, Thank God!

[djkimmel]

Yes. I just saw a statistic that 85% of drowning victims did not have a life jacket on. I wear mine a lot more the past few years than I used to.

[fiker]

Amen to that brother.

[Revtro]

Here's the story in case anyone was interested.  The child is only a toddler. 
http://www.livingstondaily.com/article/20110404/NEWS01/110404006/0/rss02/Man-dies-toddler-gravely-injured-lake-accident?odyssey=nav|head

[McCarter]

lets not forget having the kill switch properly attatched to the vest as well.  from the story, they say they boat was driving in circles when police arrived.  having a vest on a child is one thing, but it would do them much good if they get hit by the boat once they are in the water.

McCarter himself

[djkimmel]

I'm constantly amazed how often I see anglers out on the water for 'fun' with no life jacket and no kill switch. I don't do that in my boat ever. Try to always get others I'm with to not do it either. Too many times boaters survive the wreck only to be done in by the running boat.

I wish there was a way that the innocents would never have to suffer for the mistakes adults who should know better make.

[Revtro]

Agreed on all counts.  In recent years, I have taken to wearing my life vest most of the time, even when out fun fishing.  I do need to get better at using the kill switch.  I usually have it on when running at higher speeds, but it's a good practice to just start using it all the time.  I always use it when my kids are on board with me.

[djkimmel]

Accidents can happen so fast and unexpected - which is why they call them accidents. I sometimes wonder why the manufacturers don't build the kill switch in like some kind of deadman switch? Of course, saying that I realize we humans are particularly devious at getting out of and around things...