A scary reminder of the dangers of water detecting...

[fir469]

Well I almost drowned today... and my god was it scary! This came as a shocking reminder of the dangers of detecting in the water. Armed with my beach scoop and Sandshark I hit a lake today. Found a bunch of change but no goodies... I was heading out to the sand bar in the lake which is just past a 8ft deep 6ft wide trough, but i headed the wrong way. I frog kicked with my equipment to swim over the trough but was too far to the right to hit the sandbar, this is when the problems started. I went to touch bottom and quickly realized I had ended up in a 12ft deep area of the lake and was quickly running out of steam. I attempted to swim towards the sandbar but my legs just had no go left in them. Luckily a group of kids was nearby and I screamed for help, one boy (about 12yrs old) quickly swam over and grabbed my scoop from me to free up an arm as my other was harnessed in the arm cuff of the detector. I quickly ripped off the detector and let go of it. With the last of my strength I breaststroked onto the sandbar using only my arms as my legs were limp and burnt out. Had that boy not grabbed my scoop (I was panicking from having no strength and barely able to keep my face above water) I would have surely taken in water and drowned.

So please don't forget guys to always be cautious in the water, and bring a float or vest with you or a friend. I was seconds from drowning today and I may not ever water detect again... I'm a very strong swimmer but with that gear on and the weight and resistance it added it damn near killed me. Be safe out there everyone... I know I'm not a cat and don't have 9 lives and today surely reminded me of that.

 

[otlew]

Thanks for telling your story. I will certainly heed your warning. I am starting into salt water beach hunting, you have worry about drop offs at troughs and sometimes rip tides (not to mention stingrays). I have already determined that I would immediately shed any gear, detector, whatever, if I felt the need. I can get more STUFF.

 

[fir469]

I would have too had I not been so close to dying and panicking at that point. I was thinking so much about kicking myself back to the surface I didnt think to let go of the scoop. The detector was strapped firm to my arm and I couldn't release it without a free hand. The boy thought to grab the scoop as I was struggling. Thank the lord for that boy...

 

[gold-digger]

n/t

 

[hershey1]

You think more of your detecting stuff than I do. Might think about an inflatable vest that inflates when you pull a ring on it. They sell them at most sporting goods stores. Be careful out there and THANK GOD for watching over you in your time of need. HH

 

[thinkin2]

Well I almost drowned today... and my god was it scary! This came as a shocking reminder of the dangers of detecting in the water. Armed with my beach scoop and Sandshark I hit a lake today. Found a bunch of change but no goodies... I was heading out to the sand bar in the lake which is just past a 8ft deep 6ft wide trough, but i headed the wrong way. I frog kicked with my equipment to swim over the trough but was too far to the right to hit the sandbar, this is when the problems started. I went to touch bottom and quickly realized I had ended up in a 12ft deep area of the lake and was quickly running out of steam. I attempted to swim towards the sandbar but my legs just had no go left in them. Luckily a group of kids was nearby and I screamed for help, one boy (about 12yrs old) quickly swam over and grabbed my scoop from me to free up an arm as my other was harnessed in the arm cuff of the detector. I quickly ripped off the detector and let go of it. With the last of my strength I breaststroked onto the sandbar using only my arms as my legs were limp and burnt out. Had that boy not grabbed my scoop (I was panicking from having no strength and barely able to keep my face above water) I would have surely taken in water and drowned.

So please don't forget guys to always be cautious in the water, and bring a float or vest with you or a friend. I was seconds from drowning today and I may not ever water detect again... I'm a very strong swimmer but with that gear on and the weight and resistance it added it damn near killed me. Be safe out there everyone... I know I'm not a cat and don't have 9 lives and today surely reminded me of that.

You learned something that more people need to learn before it's too late. Being a strong swimmer and knowing how to survive in the water are two different things. You attempted to do something you weren't equipped to do and it could have cost you your life. If you're going to work in potentially dangerous environments then you need to prepare yourself with knowledge and equipment to ensure you don't become a casualty. I know you're shaken up right now but take a few days and give it some thought. Don't give up a hobby you love, just prepare yourself. I've always thought that anyone who wants to water hunt should seriously consider becoming a certified diver. Learning water survival would be worth the cost and effort alone. Plus it gives you a whole new world to explore.I am glad you are still among us. --Jerry

 

[normdiver]

n/t

 

[Dig]

Well I'm glad you're here to tell us all the tale. It's important to stress that water detecting is dangerous and is so because we encumber ourselves with a lot of gear. Here in the Gulf it's pretty calm but I get rolled occasionally and there is always the odd rip current to worry about. Before I go out, I make sure all my gears quick releases are working right and aren't stuck and that my cuff is on but not too tight that I can't get my arm out of it. That way if I do get pulled out to see or held under by waves I can be free in a second. There is no treasure worth your life... And I'm glad to see you got out with yours.

 

[grumpyolman]

Glad you made it. I have preached long and hard on the forums about water detectors wearing inflatable vests. They are less than a pinpointer and are a whole lot more important. They used to be cubersome and uncomfortable. Not any more! The manufacturer's learned that folks won't wear flotation vests if they are uncomfortable. So, they put significant effort in designing comfort as well as safety.

We lose quite a few people in the cold ocean here in Washington State. They get caught in a Rip. Haven't heard anyone explain how to look for a Rip or how to get out of one. I would think they operate the same no matter what water you are in. Swim with the rip parallel to shore and after awhile it'll stop taking you where you don't want to go and will push you back towards shore. I don't spend time in the ocean water, but that's what our Surf Rescue folks tell people to do. One might think the rip continued forever. It doesn't! Without flotation I don't know how far I could make it. I wear a vest when surf fishing. Have heard some scary stories from other surf fishers getting knocked down by a sneaker wave and nearly buying a chunk of the farm. jim

 

[boxofchocolates]

Your life is treasure....A gift from God....Use it wisely......hh........Dan

 

[jbow]

Glad you're ok.... really.

Another idea, don't know if it is a good one... what if you take some small nylon rope and tie the scoop and detector to your belt with just enough slack to use them but not enough to get tangled in them and wear a Kabar knife. Then you could drop the scoop and detector without a second thought. Surley they wouldn't have enough weight to pull you under with both arms and legs free... but if they did you could cut the cords with the Kabar or you could use slip knots. You could also carry a "spare air" bottle. http://cgi.ebay.com/Scuba-Spare-Air-Dive-Regulator-Surfing-Kayaking-/230504532849?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35ab240b71

http://www.amazon.com/Aluminium-Pressure-Emergency-Scuba-Snorkeling/dp/B000ZWIV2M

After reading this I think I will buy a spare air bottle to put on my belt just in case... and an inflatable vest.

Another thought... a couple of 1' long small ropes on each side of your belt with a carabiner on the end of each. Add a small loop to the side of the scoop and tie a large hard rubber washer to the detector. as soon as you think you may be getting in trouble you could clip the scoop and detector to the carabiners and free your hands... use the vest or cut the cords if you have to. I'd think it might be something everyone should practice with. Have some system that you think might save you and practice it regularly because if you're prepared and you practice you'll know if it works, how it works, and you won't panic. Just like practicing shooting if you own a gun.

The more I think about it the more I think preparation and practice will save you. If you practice (in more shallow water) you'll know if your preparations are adequate.

I'm so glad that you are ok and I know your family and real friends are thankful. It wouldn't hurt for us all to pray to the LORD for protection every day whether we are water detecting or just driving to work or the store or sitting in our home... and give thanks that He has allowed us to live another day.

Thank you for this post. I am not a strong swimmer and wouldn't have given it any thought if I had not read this.

Julien

 

[deerman]

As a retired Coast Guard personnel i can tell you alot of stores about how people drown in water that in most cases you can stand up in in but because of winds or waves thay could'nt and lost there lifes due to what in moa was making a BAD decision you were lucky today, you might not be tomorrow,you might try using a floating sifter made with a tube or foam around the edge and yes a life jacket is a GREAT LIFESAVER WHEN WORN?????? (NUMBER ONE REASON PEOPLE DROWN WAS THAY DID NOT WEAR A LIFEJACKET)also the first thing you should have done is drop whats trying to drag you under???(scoops,detectors ect!!!!)as it can be retreived or replaced,Yes
it might cost you some money to replace them BUT YOU ARE ALIVE SO YOU CAN DO THAT!!!! So anyone thinking about this think first BEFORE YOU REACT!!! IT MIGHT SAVEYOUR LIFE !!!!

 

[scubadetector]

my bouyancy compensator. even in 3' of water. You just never ever know and you do only have one life.

 

[otlew]

(NUMBER ONE REASON PEOPLE DROWN WAS THEY DID NOT WEAR A LIFEJACKET)

I am headed over to the Bass Pro Shop today, they have USCG approved inflatables starting at 59.99, but I may go big dog and get the one for $89.94.

Bass Pro Shop

When I bought a motorcycle years ago, while looking at helmets I was debating how much to spend, when the crafty salesman asked me " How much is your head worth?" I bought the best I could afford.

 

[grumpyolman]

Theres two kinds of inflatables. One is a self inflator. The tech specs on it claim it will not auto inflate from splashing etc. It has to be total immersion. That's an option if you never go deeper than waist deep. The other is a 'rip cord' (No pun intended) that you have to pull to inflate. If you get the manual one, practice a few times reaching down and grabbing the ball on the end that activates the inflation. You have to build some muscle memory so you don't repeat what fir469 did. He was in such deep doo doo that he couldn't even drop his scoop. No criticism intended. Just a prime example when the stuff hits the fan, you better have practiced what to do.

The other thing is to never tie anything to you. ALL my gear is hooked to quick release buckles. They are simple and you can get a buckle on a belt for less than $10 at a diver's supply place. They are used on weight belts and sometimes chest harnesses so with a couple of pulls you can jettision whatever you need. Another thing you might not think about unless you are a diver is the order in which you attach your gear. The weight belt is the last to go on and the first to come off. If you put it on first, other things may cover the buckle or hook onto it making it impossible to jettison it. If your scoop and/or detector are on a tether make sure the belt they are attached to are the last things on. Over the top of your waders. Over the top of your jacket. etc. Of cours the caveat is if you wear and inflatable PFD none of that is quite as important. jim

 

[scubadetector]

If any of you remember July 5th 2 years ago one of my best friends and a person on this site, Tom Weaver drowned when wading while detection in Lake Huron. To this day nobody knows what went wrong as he was found in 4' of water. He was 38. NEVER found his huge scoop and I think he went over his head in a trough also BUT only speculation. JUST be extra careful all. Lots of gold out there but NONE of it worth your life. Know how to swim, know how to ditch ALL your gear and be mindful of the CRAZY boaters.

You can ALWAYS get your gear back once you have relaxed in shalower water. Just BE SAFE and know your limitations.

 

[McDyver]

As a scuba diver for twenty plus years and public safety diver I can't stress enough DO NOT TETHER LARGE ITEMS!!!!! And if you tether small items tuck them in your vest or bcd.
If your detecting items float they can be recovered. Once panic sets in, tethered items definitely will not help the situation. Practicing survival skills is a sure way to help your self and others out of potentially tragic situations. Thanks for sharing your story fir469.