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| One of the first things to do if you go in with heavy boots on is to kick them off. Learned that in junior life savings class many years ago. They fill with water and are like anchors on your feet. In late fall I sometimes wear an old pair of Sorels for warmth but lace them loose enough that I could get them off if I had to without untying them.
Many years ago in Canada, a good friend went over the side while running the gas out of the motor. He hit a submerged log and flew over the side. The thing that saved him was a floating cushion also flew out. He couldn't see it because he lost his glasses, but I yelled to him where it was and he only had to go a couple feet. I swam out a ways and helped him to shore but without that cushion, he would have drowned. It was late fall and had insulated rubber boots that laced up well onto his calves and he said he would never wear them in a boat again. We were in our early twenties, he was very fit and athletic but all those clothes and the boots would have been his ending if not for the cushion. | |
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