New to Me Safety Item

[pmaloney86]

I added a new item to my plethora of fishing gear this year.  A waterproof rolltop backpack.  I more so intended for it to be used in saltwater surf fishing but seems like a great addition to the ice fishing arsenal and another added piece of safety equipment when walking out.  Any dry bag can be used as a flotation device so having one strapped to my back on top of my floatation bibs seems like a great way to keep me above the ice surface if I was to fall through.  They can be had for like $60 but at any price it seems like a no brainer.  Can keep batteries, drills, etc. dry in the bag if it inclement weather.  All around a great addition.

[thomasthepikehunter]

A dry bag is not a bad idea, but I think you are over estimating it's ability as a safety item. You wouldn't really float unless it was filled with light items, and filled with air. If you had your drill, battery, and more in there, it would not float. I just don't see a person dumping out the contents, filling it with air, and then using it to float. You could have used that energy to just get out of the water. You would be better off clipping a foam throwable flotation seat onto the pack, and using that.

The dry bag, fine idea. For less demanding tasks, those 2.5 gallon Hefty bags are amazing and cheap.

[slipperybob]

The floating boat seat cushion.  However I haven't brought it out in forever.

[Finnt]

If it did float I will push your face into the water. Better off with chest rig so it will make you float on your back. Ice picks around neck and mounted on front of chest. Get out as fast as you can is your best bet.

[pmaloney86]

I think you guys overestimate how much it takes to make you buoyant.  You aren't a cinderblock plus I have flotation bibs.  The bag is 38L and a drill and battery and me is not going to sink a bag that sized even partially filled with air.  Go take a basketball and try to bring that to the bottom of a pool or even 10L dry bag filled with air.  Heck you can even use a pair of pants as a flotation device in an emergency.

Obviously you can wear a life jacket and I have when checking early/late ice but figured this serves multiple purposes.  Now I'm going to be floating around on it in the bath tub to test the theory.  I'll be sure to post a pic for you guys.

[Finnt]

I would like to see you try to get your pants off . I have done it in SAR training in the NAVY  in warm salt water.

[HWeber]

Idk if I would consider it safety gear although I understand what you're getting at. Only need ≈1.5gal of air to float someone and your fancy bag has the potential to hold 10.

[SLAYERFISH]

Idk if I would consider it safety gear although I understand what you're getting at. Only need ≈1.5gal of air to float someone and your fancy bag has the potential to hold 10.

Hell just tie a couple empty 1 gal. milk jugs around yer neck!

[CrappiePerchDude]

This isn’t a bad idea at all - but it’s a good point that having this on your back could push your face into the water - which, depending on the exact circumstances, could obviously be very bad.   Have a super efficient flotation device readily available is never bad - but with most good ideas, appropriate execution is critical to success. 

[lowaccord66]

Pat you should just rock a dry suit!

[SirCranksalot]

Floatation is only good if it helps you get out of the water. If you cannot do that quickly you will die from hypothermia, not drowning