TODAY’S FEATURE

Gifts That Can Save LivesWe’re always looking for unique gifts. With anglers, that can be anything from antique lures and tackle to the latest computer-aided, battery-equipped, depth-finding, temperature-recording, fish-finding gizmo to help us go from “fishing” to “catching.”

It seems that we sometimes, as an old coach once said, “give up the valuable for what is only immediate” - in other words, all that glitters, flashes, buzzes, rattles and, well, you get the picture, may not be gold.

One area where we seem to ignore something that could literally save our lives concerns a common piece of safety equipment that seems to have absolutely no glamour about it - at least not compared with the computer-based location and emergency reporting gear - our personal flotation devices. The PFD is a mandated piece of gear for every boat - and every passenger aboard every boat - but we seem to believe the $14.99 special PFD that’s cleverly disguised as a sun-faded, waterlogged seat cushion will suffice.

Unfortunately, it seems some people would rather be dead wrong - emphasis on the dead - rather than inconvenienced by the PFD. A few years ago, that trend started to change when the idea of comfortable, inflatable and capable devices could actually be worn without completely immobilizing the wearer. Today, professional anglers, racers and other professionals wouldn’t be without their inflatable PFDs.

But there hasn’t been much advancement in the technology for those who don’t always fish from boats - or those who might see someone in trouble who aren’t equipped with personal flotation devices. Those can be anyone from fly fishermen to adults who simply fall into the water from the shore and find themselves in trouble.

Mustang Survival (www.mustangsurvival.com) has addressed those scenarios with a pair of their inflatable flotation devices.

The first is called the Rescue Stick

The Rescue Stick - Not a lot to learn. Just rip it out of the waterproof bag and toss it near the victim. It’ll handle the rest.

The Rescue Stick weighs less than a pound, is just over a foot long, and comes in a waterproof bag. It’s activated by pulling it from its waterproof bag and tossing it near the person in trouble. It activates when it hits the water, inflating into a large horseshoe shape with a 35-pound buoyancy considerably more than necessary to keep someone afloat with their head out of the water until they can be rescued.

Shaped like a baton, Mustang Survival says the average person is capable of tossing it anywhere from 100-150 feet. That’s about triple the distance anyone can throw a life ring or rope bag. It’s small enough to fit into a backpack, boat, vehicle, or by a pool.

And it’s reusable. Simply repack the flotation portion, screw on a new handle that contains a fresh CO2 cylinder and it’s ready to go again. It’s one of those affordable (MSRP: $39.99) devices that can truly be a lifesaver.

Mustang Survival’s F3 Fishing Vest: It’s not all that different from your normal vest - until you need help.

The second flotation device combines the classic fishing vest with floatation. When fly fishing, I fall. So far, I’ve never injured anything but my pride, but I’m the type who has a fear of drowning that can only be understood by someone who’s come close to drowning in the past. I can still remember being pulled from the water, dazed, choking and out of breath - it’s not a sensation I’d like to repeat.

I can promise you I will not fly fish again without wearing Mustang’s F3 Inflatable Fishing Vest. It’s comfortable, has all the hook and fly patches, inside/outside pockets, leader eyelets and catches and spaces for my tiny tackle offered by my former vest. But it also has the same 35-pound buoyancy as all Mustang Survival’s Inflatable PFDs.

Combined with my waders and boots, I feel I have an increased level of safety that more than compensates for the cost. The 3-Fs referenced in the name are: Form, Functionality and Flotation. Personally, I’m at the point where I like all three working together for my own good.

There are lots of great safety devices out there for all of us who love the water, but these can help keep us safe without interfering with our recreation. Not a bad combination.

–Jim Shepherd