Please wear your life vests!

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by MAXUM

The key part of your statement is surprised by seeing them where you didn't expect them. That's pretty much what's happened to me a number of times. You don't expect to see them out in the middle of the broads on a fairly choppy day. I typically try to keep my distance from any other boat and like knowing what's around me so that I have time to anticipate and plot my course. I hate it when all of a sudden I'm bearing down on somebody like that and it appears as thought they just appeared from out of the blue. It's just not a very smart idea. It's a big lake and plenty of room out there for everyone, just would be nice to see some common sense employed in this situation and others like it.

Yes, You don't see many powerboats or sailboats wearing camo or all black!

Seriously, most SUB (sport utility boat, canoes or kayaks) deaths are due to drowning (also ask MP about the open zipper syndrome), generally from lack of PFD use. For some reason PFDs are more comfortable to sit or kneel on!

Consider an self inflating PFD. They are not cheap, but what is your life worth?