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Every year there are deaths on the Lochs of Scotland. The coldness of
the water and sudden changes in weather conditions catch people out with
tragic consequences.
Even in the middle of summer on hot days the water on the lochs can
be extremely cold and this will sap the swimming abilities of even the
strongest swimmer and with underwater currents on many of the larger
lochs, if you go over the side of the boat or capsize and you are not
wearing a lifejacket it is highly likely it will be a one way trip into
the Loch.
You often see people out on the lochs with large amounts of money and
time invested in their boats, outboard motor and fishing tackle
but without basic safety items such as lifejackets.
In my own boat I carry the following items; lifejackets (one for each
person aboard) and a "throwable device" which is a flotation
cushion designed to be thrown to a person in the water and will allow
them to support themselves until rescued. I also carry a set of flares,
both smoke emitting type and the standard hand held flare and a
"space blanket" which is one of the foil type blankets that
hill walkers and climbers carry, this will help prevent hypothermia in
someone who is cold and wet and suffering from exposure.
I also have a first aid kit, waterproof matches, a whistle for
signaling distress and a small torch stored in a waterproof canister
available from chandlers. I have also checked that the canister floats
with all this stuff inside it!!!!!!.
Anyone who has seen inside my boat will know that I am a lure junky
with probably too many lures to choose from, but I am also a lifejacket
junky as well. At the last count I had 7 lifejackets, different ones to
fit kids and adults as no-one goes out without one. The type of life
jacket I prefer is the closed cell foam type, the one I wear has pockets
that I keep things like my pliers, scissors and other odds and
ends that I always use in the course of the day, by having a jacket like
this I always wear it because I need the
things in the pockets. I also have 2 of the co2 type inflation
lifejackets but I find they are uncomfortable to wear and you only tend
to put them on when the weather gets a "bit dodgy" which is no
use if you fall out on a hot sunny day plus the fact that the auto
inflation jacket has inflated twice in the hall cupboard at home and
once in the boat while sitting in my drive at home!! and at £18 a go
for a re-arming kit is another reason I don't like them.
Here are some of the items I have on my boat the throwable flotation
device only costs approx £6 plus post and doubles up as a comfy
boat seat, £6 that could save your life and will prevent haemorrhoids
caused by spending many hours sitting on a cold plank of wood trolling
for that elusive Ferox, and a that not only will save your life but
looks good too!!.
I am going to make is easy for you , if you click here it takes you
to Cabelas for a life jacket and click here
for a floatation
cushion, its no use wishing you HAD bought one as you sink to the
bottom of the loch.
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