Complacency + confidence = danger!

[sinner]

Wanted to share a short story and remind everyone to think safety ALWAYS.

I know someone who was testing out their sib with on a small reservoir and lost control, ending up in the cold water without the kill-switch attached to themselves and no life jacket on, fully clothed with a heavy, lined jean jacket on!
The person was me! I was making a "quick run" down and back the small reservoir, so didn't hook up the switch or put my life jacket on. I decided to make another run, encountered another boats wake, eased up at first and then sped up again for the rest of the wake. I approached at an oblique angle to "see how it handles it at speed", (had the steering loosened up) and started to lose control when I hit another wave as I attempted to cut the throttle and ended up increasing the throttle as well as turning the motor as I was thrown off-balance. I was thrown out, almost panicked, but recovered (I am a pretty strong swimmer) and struggled to the boat. The engine had returned to idle and was slowly circling a ways form me. I struggled to get back it but made it after 3 or 4 attempts. Fortunately I was fairly close to the ramp and my truck (which was still warm) or I would have been in real danger of hypothermia.

A very foolish mistake caused by complacency and confidence!

[willk]

Hey dude - so easy to do. Glad to see you got to post about it!

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays

PS - You see how useful my "willk" redface smilie is?

[kelson]

It is nice that you can tell us the story first hand!

I often find myself over dressed for the moment, but prepared for where I might go.

Glad you made the right moves toward your boat. Have a great year on the water!

[sinner]

Originally Posted by willk

Hey dude - so easy to do. Glad to see you got to post about it!

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays

PS - You see how useful my "willk" redface smilie is?

Thanks!
Merry Christmas!

[sinner]

Originally Posted by kelson

It is nice that you can tell us the story first hand!

I often find myself over dressed for the moment, but prepared for where I might go.

Glad you made the right moves toward your boat. Have a great year on the water!

"Semper paratus" - always ready. It's a good motto for all!

[prairie tuber]

Thanks for sharing an important lesson for us all. Even when knowing what should be done, it is easily to get lulled into breaking your own a rules after having done an activity countless times (while adhering to the safety rules) without an incident.

The lesson I'm taking from your experience is doing it right 99% of the time is not enough.

Thanks for caring enough about our well being, to share this experience with us, despite it being one of those "What was I thinking???" scenarios.

[Zodiac Spindrift]

Thanks for your honesty and possibly bravery for sharing your experience.

I'm sure there would be plenty of people who would chastise you from the comfort of an armchair, almost safe in the knowledge that they wouldn't have made such errors.

But like almost every boating accident there is rarely a single cause and your story demonstrates that little errors or omissions that individually are of no great consequence, can combine to develop into a life threatening situation.

When Instructing I always tell my students that its those simple "throw away" things that are seen by some as "uncool" that can save your life - life jackets, kill chords and appropriate clothing.

On a positive note, you've lived to tell the tale and its a worthy lesson for all of us. Merry Xmas, Happy Hogmany and joyful boating in 2012.

[azzurro]

No joke. 3 years ago I've seen a true seadog youngster dry as a vampire victim. More than 20 cuts from feet to face.

[headdamage]

Good to hear you where ok... I had a co-worker who had some nasty scars up his back from a SIB coming back around and running him down after he fell out of it.

[sinner]

I thank everyone for their kind and thoughtful remarks. I more than half expected disparaging remarks, but felt I should share my experience anyway.
Thanks again, and happy boating everyone!