PFDs save lives

I don’t like writing this type of column.

If folks would use a little common sense and think, most of what I’m about to say would be unnecessary. People don’t always understand what they’re doing, get educated in how to do it safely, or think things through regarding possible consequences. Alaska waters can become very unforgiving very quickly.

Four adult men drowned in Valley lakes in the last three weeks. An article in last Sunday’s Frontiersman described the most recent incident of two brothers drowning in Matanuska Lake and made brief mention of the earlier incident where two other brothers drowned in Lake Louise. These two tragedies have several things in common.

All four victims were middle-aged to older adult males. In one case, one brother was an Alaska resident and the other was visiting from Outside. The other incident involved two non-residents. One or both of the brothers in each incident may not have had much experience with the particular watercraft being used. The first incident involved a rented 14-foot boat and outboard while the most recent case involved a rented canoe that can feel “tippy” to those unfamiliar with riding in one. None of the four were wearing personal flotation devices, or PFDs.

Unfortunately, both of these incidents mesh altogether too well with the statistics on recreational boater fatalities in Alaska. Statewide, nine of 10 who drown in recreational boating accidents are adult males and nine of 10 involve recreational boats less than 26 feet long. Further, five of six drown by falling overboard or experience a capsizing and suffer a cold-water immersion drowning situation because they are not wearing a PFD.

Waters in Alaska are cold year-round. Most rivers and lakes never warm enough, even in a warmer than normal summer, to significantly reduce the unconscious reflex response of gasping in a lungful of water when you submerge after falling in. This is the beginning of the cold-water immersion drowning experience. Most of us, even myself with my “slightly” overweight body, will not survive much beyond 15 minutes in that cold water.

The body tries to preserve core temperature, so blood flow to the extremities is reduced. After a few minutes, your hands will stiffen and not work very well. The same goes for your legs. It’s really tough to save yourself when your hands stop working properly and even harder to stay afloat without a PFD when your legs won’t tread water like they should. If you suck in a lungful of water, you’ve already got more problems than just losing your grip or suffering a cramped leg.

How do I know this stuff and why should you listen to me? I’m a certified recreational boating safety instructor in the state-sponsored, nationally recognized Alaska Water Wise program. A few years back, I held a seat on the Alaska Boating Safety Advisory Council, which advises the state’s Alaska Water Wise program. Also, I survived a boating accident where I easily could have died.

I was checking a black bear bait site by myself on a remote section of the Susitna River in my 16-foot riverboat. The entrance into the slough leading to the bait site was difficult to access and I got stuck on the way in. After refloating the boat, I checked the bait and, finding no activity, decided to head home. After investing some thought, I figured how I could maneuver my way out and felt I had a good chance of pulling off the turns. The first thing I did before starting out was put on my PFD.

Everything went as planned until the fast current of the river channel caught the tunnel of the jet boat after exiting the slough. Instead of a gradual 120-degree turn to head home, the current spun the boat into a very quick and sharp turn. I lost my balance at the center console and went out over the portside gunnel. I was wearing hip-boots and had a revolver on my belt. Without the PFD, I wouldn’t have been able to keep my head above water much at all.

After about five minutes, I reached the bank and got out of the water. It was all I could do to pull myself up the slight two-foot rise. I was exhausted. The rest of the story is interesting, but not relevant. I survived the cold river water of Alaska only because I was wearing that PFD. I don’t go boating without one!

Howard Delo is a retired fisheries biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. You can leave him a message by emailing sports@frontiersman.com.