HI ALL
I was thinking.
wit all off you having some float tubes.
any off you did went for swim.?
meening a tube went flat on water or something pierce the tube on water etc etc.
is its that safe to be in a tube.?
just thinking if you are in a tube in real cold water ..meening real cold and something happen.mmmm
any off you did not make it back on the flost tibes to shore.?
and why what happen..and what type off float tube was it.?
thanks
joco
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I am betting the ones that did have a total flat, in ice cold water aren't around anymore to tell about it.
I personally have never (knock on wood) had a leak while out.
My brother in-law did have a blow out and barely made it to shore. Kicked like crazy, but keep in mind, a flattening tube is NOT going to move through the water well.
His was a Caddis "U" tube.
Most others I know that have had blow outs, have had them on shore.
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Have a look at the video here:
[url "http://www.ventureoutdoors.net/"]http://www.ventureoutdoors.net/[/url]
It shows how a tube (which he stabs with a knife) sags in the middle and traps air in the ends, so as to never fully deflate.
So much for the main tube. There are other buoyancy chambers available to the properly equipped float tubing angler.
A good tube should have more air chambers in the backrest, or backrests.
The cushion we sit on can be looked at, it may be either inflatable, or with a foam slab, which is buoyant. This is another backup reservoir of buoyancy.
I presume you wear your personal flotation jacket while tubing? This is more buoyancy.
This leaves the issue of hypothermia. Cold water can kill, and not necessarily by drowning. If you are in cold water you should be using neoprene, which is a highly insulating material as your chest wader material.
If the water is not so cold, and thin breathable waders are used, then fleece undergarments are necessary. Wool or fleece stay warm even if they get wet. Cottons and denims should be avoided, because once they become wet, these materials no longer keep the heat in, or cold out.
These are some of the proper equipment required to use small water craft safely.
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I have heard the reports of air remaining in chambers and have seen the video.
But, in my Brothers case, he was panicing and trashing. By the time he got to shore, the back rest was all that was still inflated. My brother is at least 230, that backrest was of little help, not to mention all his gear in the bags was now underwater also.
Which does bring up a good point.....get a tube for your size!
I agree, that the Hypothermia is the killer.
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[#005000]... If you are using that thing between your ears for more than a hat rack and using common sense ....[/#005000]
I enjoyed that thanks!
I have once had a pike on the lower hook and my tube on the upper hook of a wire trace.
A fumble while "chinning" the pike without the usual leather glove.
Anyway I wondered what would happen next. The pike obligingly thrashed it's head from side to side the way they do, and the treble in the tube broke at the bend.
So I unhooked him and he swam away.
Then I inspected my tube expecting a pinhole leak to be hissing at me, but I couldn't find it ! After a really close inspection, I finally found a scrape mark in the fabric, but no penetration through. The hook point did not go in, it dragged to the side while the point was prevented from following, and the metal broke.
That was a forged no 2 VMC treble so I was suitably impressed. (Don't ask why such a big hook, I was only learning then, I use sixes and eights now and hook nearly everything that takes!)
The only damage I have inflicted that caused a cut in the tube was while on a lake with reeds. The fishing required that I go to the other side of a reed barrier. So I got out, took off my fins, and waded towing the tube behind, and "making a road" through the dense reedbed. This required a lot of force, and a broken reed with a razor sharp edge sliced a 4" cut in the taut tube fabric, but had not the slightest effect on the "rubber" inner tube which was not so tight. My eyes were on the spot because it made a zipper type spound and caught my attention.
I learned to not inflate my tube to 5lb psi then, and since then I settle for 3 1/2 to 4lb psi. Taut but not hard. An over-taut tube fabric is nice and hard, but vulnerable in a way to sharp blades etc.
As posted above, the tricky moment is on land while the air pump is operating.
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I had a leak in my Fat Cat air bladder on a trip this summer. By the time I got back to the ramp, I was amazed at how bouyant I still was even though the air bladder was significantly deflated. Then as an experiment, I released the valve, releasing the remaining bladder pressure and sat back on the Fat Cat in shallow water. It still supported me. (I weight 200 lbs. or so) The foam seat and backrest, as well as the remaining low pressure air in the bladder have significant bouyancy abilities. Not all float tubes have this much foam in their construction, but I consider the Fat Cat and some others that do very safe crafts, even if an unthinkable major leak occurs.
I still wear a floatation vest when I float fish though.[
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You guys actually WEAR the life jacket or just have it in reach?
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I guess I'm a wuss, but I almost always wear mine when I'm fishing bigger windy lakes like Jordanelle or Strawberry. I may just have it at reach on small ponds like lakes in the Uintas.
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Yes I always wear it. Did you ever try putting your safety belt on during an automobile accident? Having the jacket onboard but not wearing it is just the same as that, the day you finally need it.
What I wear is the most comfortable one I have found after trying lots, so I'm ok with it on as a result.
It's really a padded waistcoat, or buoyant fly jacket. Not a coastguard lifejacket, but a buoyancy aid. Comfortable enough to wear every time. No crotch strap and not guaranteed to keep you face up if unconscious like a life jacket will, but will keep you afloat.
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I always wear mine too. It's a bit bulky, but it's really not too bad. I still have full range of motion and it doesn't get in the way much.
Jason
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I know on the lake I seem to be in the minority but I almost always wear my life jacket while on the water.
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If you ask me, i think if you don't have your life jacket on at all times you are just asking for trouble. You never know what could happen. In the winter if you fall in your better have it on cause you are gonna need all your energy to get back to shore let alone staying afloat. in the summer you may get a boat that is not paying attention and could hit you, highly unlikely but you never know.
I consider myself an excellent swimmer but you will not catch me on my pontoon with out my life jacket on.
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