HYPOTHERMIA .... a story about being prepare in the backcountry

Hypothermia can kill you in the backcountry. Even in summer you can find yourself hypothermic if you don't take a few simple precautions
Dave Whipple
Bushradical

[@MTwoodsrunner]

good advice...i lost my brother this past summer to hypothermia, His sea kayak along with two others flipped in a sudden storm off the coast of maine...his collar bone was broken so that he could not right his kayak...rescue came to late for him and one other of his male clients...however, a woman client was rescued by a fishing vessel, she was found lashed to her Kayak, unconscious but alive. She later explained that my brother managed to tie her to her kayak and stayed with her until he lost consciousness and slipped away. What started out a beautiful day and a routine day trip, ended in two lives lost. sure glad you came through ok, a dang good video!!! atb...woods

[@Bushradical]

Thanks Mt. Im so sorry their you lost your brother. Its would be so hard not getting to say goodbye to a loved one, yet knowing he saves someone else life in the process seems like it would make you feel so proud. Thats a noble way to leave this world! My condolences my friend.

[@ashleighjaimaosborne3966]

May your brother R.I.P. 🇨🇦

[@mikehagan4320]

Stuck in a snow drift in the winter of 1978. Another time. Co driver struck a large jackrabbit on the high line of Montana and Busted off the crossover fuel pipe on an old Freightliner cabover hauling cattle. Lost all of the fuel. And I was as COLD As I've ever been in my life! Just recently I took a short cut through the hills going to a Friend's Funeral. And slide down to a fence and couldn't go any further without damaging things. Wind blown Snow too heavy. So shoveling out wasn't a Practical Option. 9 Degrees above Fahrenheit. So I walked miles to my House. Lessons learned. Always Carry a Winter supplies Bag with a complete change of base layer and additional winter clothes. Always have Footwear, Clothing and 5 C's items to walk Home. Best Wishes from Montana M.H

[@Bushradical]

A subscriber asked if I put a pair of pants in the bag....the comment was blocked by YT and I can't figure out how to get it approved......so here is my response....No, I usually don't put an extra set of pants in the bag, but sometimes a pair of sweats, or long johns. The reason is it always seems easier to dry your lower half by a fire than your upper and I just find I don't mind being wet from the waist down nearly as much as my core, and especially neck and shoulders. Thats for the question

[@ajtaylor560]

All great info, until your canoe instantly fills with liquid ice fresh out of the Rockies you don't know what cold is! We literally couldn't hold on, our fingers wouldn't work!! Legs and feet were stumps! I had the rope in my teeth, thankfully the current pushed us onto the shore on a bend. The sun was blazing hot and we were able to inch up onto the bank. As the sun got our hands working we were able to strip down to our skin and slowly warmed up. It was surprising how cold our wet life jackets felt. It took us over 3 hours to recover. Learned some really good lessons that day mostly about how close we came to dying without being injured.

[@njbarker]

Hi Dave, I especially like this video. I live in Florida and one November my husband and I were canoe sailing in the Keys and I got hypothermia from being in a bathing suit, drinking a cold liquid and the wind picking up during our sail. It was really scary and we did not know exactly what to take in the canoe. Please keep these wonderful informational videos coming. The education is priceless.

[@lilymartens5436]

Thank you Dave and Brooke for your ministry of care, love and survival ❤

[@jahmasin]

GREAT ADVISE ABOUT THE SWEATER, SCARF AND HAT.....EVEN IN THE SUMMER AROUND THE CAMP FIRE YOUR FRONT CAN BE WARM BUT YOUR BACK IS COLD THAT IS FACING THE DARK..........IF YOU DON'T NEED IT DON'T USE IT...BETTER TO HAVE IT WITH YOU THEN TO BE WITHOUT. THANKS FOR SHARING ALL YOUR STORIES. YOU ARE THE BEST STORY TELLER.

[@EDHBlvd]

KZbin has been recommending your really old videos to me lately and I’m digging them. Thanks for being radical!

[@billleblanc819]

Excellent advice Dave. I’m guessing many people won’t understand the seriousness of the subject if they haven’t personally experienced it. I never go out into the woods with out extra warm cloths in my pack even on blistering hot days. It’s rare that I need them, but they saved me a couple times. Hypothermia is no joke!

[@Bushradical]

Totally agree. It can be 100 degrees.....but who's to say what the temp will be at 1:00 in the morning.

[@ashleighjaimaosborne3966]

I suffered from hypothermia while canoeing and portaging on the Tea Lakes in Algonquin years ago in August. Was on a survival trip and a storm came up while on the lake . I knew I wasn’t thinking clearly and the guide got us to the nearest island and out of the wind. Great advice you gave. 😊🇨🇦

[@pennywilcox8603]

I just have to tell you how much I enjoy what are you and Brooke do! I'm 71 years old and I wish I could've done what you were doing now! And when you talk about Alaska we lived in Fairbanks off and on for two years. So I can really relate to the area. Thank you so much for sharing all your skills and life...its better than tv!

[@OldPackMule]

Glad you put this up. Much wisdom. I carry similar stuff in my day pack in a plastic bag all year round. I keep a change of clothes in a duffel in the car since I’ve been soaked far from home a couple of times after making a bad weather call and having unplanned outdoor time.

[@Bushradical]

Thats a great precaution...a change of cloths.

[@nt7395]

I carry a 72 hr bag with me everywhere I go. To work, the store, over to a friends house. I get shit sometimes from people that think I'm weird for always wanting to have it with me, some call it my "purse" or some say I look ridiculous and over prepared. Maybe. But it ended up saving my ass one winter when my car got stuck in a ditch during a blizzard (northern MI) and I had to shelter in my vehicle for almost 30 hours before help arrived. It wasn't the worst or most dangerous scenario in the world but now I dont even hear the teasing about my "purse". Having those supplies on me at all times is worth all the talk.

[@floydoharejr4477]

Thanks Dave, the dry bag just went on the Alaska list.

[@Bushradical]

Great idea!

[@marcelhuard5774]

Hey Dave...just ran across your channel. Been kinda binging on your videos. Just wanted to mention one thing about the lighter in your dry sack. Nothing worse than needing that lighter only to find out it's out of butane from having it loose in your bag and having it drain. I found a tip for preventing that on a nother channel. Take a small ziptie and wrap around the lighter just underneath the fuel button to prevent it from accidently being depressed. Love your channel!

[@GailMatthis]

Dry socks and sweatpants too. God bless you I am happy you pulled through that one.

[@TxDan100]

Great advice Dave... thank you sir. Hypothermia can set in pretty darned quick when your body temp falls below 95 degrees F .. 35 C

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Yep ! We got in a similar situation in Ga. And didn't help I was drinking... but it took us almost 15 hrs for what the D.N.R. said was a 6 to 8 hr trip plus it was a wilderness area... no cel service, no people, no way to get help ! I also split my head really bad ... a first aid kit is a must for a trip like that! I made that trip 4 more times and it is spectacular! Made real memories but you must know some tools...

[@richardkoch8752]

Great video! Also good to have the same kit in your car along with emergency food and water.

[@RobinEsch]

I was telling my husband about this video on a hike this morning and his take was it might be good to have a 1 lb. sleeping bag and something that would make a tarp (as well). That way if you are really in a bad situation you could warm-up your whole body faster. We sometimes hike with a small down sleeping bag as a back-up emergency tool. If I'm out alone hiking and hurt my ankle it would be great to have the extra items. But I know what you are saying - having some basic gear sweater/hat/scarf is a real life saving idea. Plus a nice cozy/warm sweater/hat/scarf after being cold really helps the mental state of mind right? You could be saving someone's life by making this video so thanks!

[@Bushradical]

Your spot on about a light sleeping bag and a tarp Those would be 2 SUPER important items to have in a bad situation. You should do a video on that idea!

[@williamrodriguez-pupo1221]

See what I mean!! Experience and knowledge! Never flipped a canoe nor ever been in one! Rolled a kayak here in SoCal by Marina Del Rey in summer. No chance of hypothermia or even starting a fire if I needed to. Red flags warning almost all year long for outdoor fires. With good reasons! As always, great video bro!

[@Bushradical]

Thanks William.

[@ldsphotodude49]

Had similar experience on a mountain we couldn't get off of before dark. I had a lighter in my little fanny pack I had one of those mylar emergerncy blankets. The mylar blanket was absolutly useless, it ripped into ribbons where each of the folds was when we tried to open it. Because it rains so much in the Adirondacks we each ( my son, my nephew and myself) had a poncho. We went to the side of the mountain out of the wind and found a spot with some snow to melt for water. we picked a level spot with a low rock wall behind us and built a reflector fire in front. We each took turn on fire watch, and got cozy side by side onder the ponchos to conserve each others body heat, it was a pretty uncomfortable night. The thing I learned from that was that it wouldn't take that much more equipment to be comfortable. After that trip I made a new gear list. I bought a lumbar pack (a larger fanny pack) 1100 cubic inches I carry the stuff you suggested and a couple other things. Instead of the bulky wool sweater I roll up a pullover fleece I still carry a poncho and a poncho liner, I have a rag wool hat and gloves and the thickest densest wool socks I've ever found. There are a few other items but the clothes and shelter are what I'm talking about here. Sorry I got so long winded.

[@Bushradical]

don't worry about being long winded at all. This is a subject dear to my heart. I'm no boycott and I tend to forget something every trip out , but having warm cloths ( even when its hot out) has saved my but! I also mastered how to make a bow drill fire because of this one incident. Thanks for sharing.

[@gosmoothgolight7567]

Another very practical set of suggestions! Love the fact that wool maintains its insulating qualities even when wet. I only own two pieces of Filson clothing (so far) ... a wool-lined trail hat and a wool vest. Both come out on the trails with me! Great tips ... God Bless!

[@Bushradical]

Thanks David. I started buying wool sweaters years ago, but for a different reason......they generally have super long arms..And I'm tall with long arms. I've bought a lot of wool from thrift stores, and also from eBay. Eddie Bauer makes a great wool sweater by the way.

[@gosmoothgolight7567]

Yup ... thrift stores are one super place for great gear! Keeping my eye out for a #8 antique cast iron pan for my kit. Not exactly "Ultralight", but definitely worth having along!

[@Bushradical]

Ebay. OR....antique stores.

[@bushcraftcambridge5086]

Good call, being prepared for unseen circumstances is sage advice. A few small items can make a big difference.

[@Bushradical]

Absolutely!

[@jamescarryl9690]

Dave, so true, thanks for sharing your story. Stay safe in the woods

[@Bushradical]

Thanks James

[@pridesmen]

Hi Dave! Glad you survived that expedition...Would have never met ya...lol. Anyway love your channel, and your knife reviews! Stay true brother & stay in touch. The Maine Russki & Boyer!

[@suesherman8277]

Socks socks socks, for me along with your collection! Dry bags are a must!! Thanks for video.

[@mrwdpkr5851]

Your right about being cold in the summer if you get wet . That's why I keep a single use poncho in every jacket / coat I own . I also keep several in my work truck . When it starts raining it will be the best $2 you ever spent .

[@pacificbushcraftandfirecra6358]

Good stuff! Like the Boy Scouts say: Be Prepared! Thanks for sharing. Watch your top knot!

[@Bushradical]

Thanks Triumph SP. Good to see you back bro!

[@suf972]

Me and my buddies do minimal gear overnight challenges maybe three or four times every summer and i completely agree with what you have to say. the first time all i brought was a lighter but quickly learned that it wouldn’t be enough as one side of me was always facing away from the fire. Now i bring a nice wool sweater and it’s great even in the rain. Thanks for spreading the word.

[@Bushradical]

Thanks Otis

[@Nekron999]

Great videos! Thank you.

[@kimprocarione5473]

Excellent! I had completely forgot to replace my dry bag! I kayak. Nothing radical 😂 Still, wet and cold is wet and cold!

[@marthaneuhauser1019]

Watching your older videos and no matter what I always take warm clothes when we go camping, summer or not, always!!! Thanks for your info glad it turned out ok!!!

[@Bushradical]

Thanks

[@AngeliqueKaga]

I really enjoy your videos, and Daisy is wonderful.

[@Bushradical]

Glad you like them!

[@kenairockband]

Great advice. I agree with Lars on the socks. I would add that an ace bandage can be a makeshift scarf, hat, rope, face shield etc...

[@Bushradical]

Thanks for the comment

[@vinniedimodica8705]

Great stuff

[@raygetoutdoors6151]

Dave, this is great advice, don't forget a couple packs of hot chocolate. . . another good emergency item is a tourniquet when using an axe or hatchet. It has saved many lives of those in the bush but most people never think it can happen to them. Ray,Oklahoma

[@Bushradical]

great advise. I wouldn't have thought of that but it makes good sense. And the hot chocolate is always welcome!

[@DaMoose1015]

Please take a cold-weather survival course. You're missing several VERY important, very portable items. First thing to memorize is "head, hands, groin, and feet", but there's so much more to know about cold weather survival.

[@johnfortwengler4496]

Great video

[@Bushradical]

Thanks John. It was a real lesson. Ive never forgot it

[@judithrnorris2047]

thank you dave. i used to hitch a lot: sometimes getting caught in the elements; one time sleeping in a ph booth over night, freezing so much i could barely move and could barely wait til nearby fuel station opened and almost stumble to it to thaw out with hot water in my bottle tucked into jacket so i could go somewhere nearby to thaw out enough to get moving again. stuck in a forestry area: and needed rest so made a crude debris shelter which more than anything blocked the wind; and put every item of clothing in my bag on but so cold felt i'd lost weight when woke up. could not light fire as dry forestry area and did not want to draw wrong attention including wild pigs as sure did not have a knife.

[@DaMoose1015]

There is a survival principle that if there is shelter, it is acceptable to use that shelter, even if it involves breaking and entering. Better to have to explain yourself to the sheriff/judge and pay reparations, than to lose extremities or life. This, of course, as a last resort. Find a (minimally damaging) way into the fuel station.

[@linklesstennessee2078]

Good advice

[@ajaxtelamonian5134]

Such a good tip very underrated. Friend of mine out wild Camping fell straight into a fast flowing river and didnt have any spare clothes. I offered him one of my spare sweaters but he said no but luckily we were able to get a tarp set up and a fire going fairly quickly after that so we were fine but after telling him this tip he said "yeah that's a good shout". I thought it was obvious youd do that but apparently not lol

[@Bushradical]

Thanks

[@LarsRibe]

Very true. I include a pair of wool socks.

[@Bushradical]

Right on Lars!

[@a.b.d.3974]

That sounds terrifying.

[@gobangs1117]

Oh man this brought back some memories of shivering all night for 2 weeks in fullbore Malaysian jungle because I only packed a bivvy bag and not my sleeping bag. Real jungle with total canopy cover means cold nights. During the day it was sweat and rain but at night it gets cold! We were "tactical" so no fires. Not that a fire could be lit because it rained twice a day and all night! Everything was wet all the time, a real learning experience that you never forget.

[@Bushradical]

WOW, what the heck were you doing in Malaysia! I bet thats a bunch of good stories!

[@gobangs1117]

I was there with the Australian Army. A real eye opener.

[@wildbushcraft1983]

You have a great channel!

[@Bushradical]

Thanks Wild Bushcraft! Glad you have you here!

[@josephknowlton7246]

Liked, shared and commented.

[@Jackalopestravels]

Not adding much more bulk or weight, for good measure I’d throw in a lifestraw, a small, sharp single blade lock back knife, and maybe a bit of paracord. With that, you could last for quite a while in many circumstances. Great video. Thanks

[@Bushradical]

Thats a great idea.

[@bettinah.7429]

Great advice,then and now.

[@Bushradical]

thanks

[@robertweldon7909]

12/18/2022 Boy are you right here. too many guys just have to be "Men" and don't take precautions, thinking that their friends will rag them, and then pay for it. Never go into the wilderness, never, without some gear for cold weather. The folks that are the worst are the ones who live in or around the back country. They seem to have that "Ya Right that can't happen to me, I know it all" attitude. Some pay the price. Others are just don't think about survival, it's 85 degrees and sunny, etc. This is an important lesson for us all

[@cillaloves2fish688]

Now I gotta find a good wool sweater... nice vid! Makes u think!

[@Bushradical]

Thrift store.

[@wayneandrews1933]

A little food to can help to I alway have food with me tea and coffee with me God Bless

[@Bushradical]

Great points!

[@trentwalters]

Exactly I pack an extra dry bag with us and a towel and jacket everytime because we love kayaking and the towels, lighter, clothes even toiletries go in our dry bag

[@tammystoddard4690]

The only other items I would pack are, wool socks and a pair of pants (which I didn't hear you mention...LOL 😁 )

[@sharileeengle5204]

Husband and I always carry a bag with an extra sweatsuit outfit in case of in our car. And an extra blanket came in handy when there was a car wreck and we helped a person who was in shock. But being nonsmokers we learned from you to carry a lighter.

[@Bushradical]

Thanks , its always good to have a blanket!!

[@jayheath4409]

As David knows, most of the People up here in interior Alaska will even have these items laying about in their vehicles also.... even when we are out working in 60 degree weather , it can become cold and wet long before the job is through. A lot of Folks will never even go on a short hike , with out some type of gear to enforce themselves against nature. Keep it up Mr. Whipple. Side note - A video concerning frostbite would be a good catalyst to open discussion of various ways to treat it and limit damage , especially if You are out being "radical" in the Bush.

[@Bushradical]

Hey Jay! How ya doing' brother? That frostbite video should be done by you....if you started a channel I'd be the first to sub! Hope your surviving winter out on the hot springs road! Cheers.

[@jayheath4409]

Brother, You know I ain't an Elbow rubbin', High falootin',hob knobbin', Super Star such as Yourself . And I look horrible on film - mostly because of my face ;) So no channel by Me....but another cool idea for You is an emergency suture kit... that would be real nice to have out where Your knife , axe or sharp tree branch can make You bleed out . Looking Forward to seeing You and the Family up here this season :)

[@The-new-carnivore-me]

The thing about wool is even if it gets damp, it’s warm.

[@stevestanley5183]

We got pulled out of the river from the inlaws. Those two hour tours turn into 4-6 hours. I keep a similar kit in the car rain jacket gloves hat it can go a long way when you need it. Good solid advise thanks for sharing. Remember that tv show I shouldn't be alive. They all start the same it was a buitiful day we were only going for a 2 hour hike. Nobody took a emergency kit with them.

[@Bushradical]

Aint that the truth.!!

[@thegrapebushcraft3788]

love your channel man!!

[@Bushradical]

Thanks TheGrapeBushcraft. Glad to have you here and thanks for the comment.

[@alanpaige9192]

Toque is what you have on your head. Just saying I’m Canadian. Good advice fer sure. Keep on keeping on.

[@Bruce_S]

Great story, again! You mentioned your hands were so cold after you stopped paddling. Gloves? I've had a problem with cold finger tips since I was a kid. Gloves are always in my bag now, including my edc bag. Handy if you find yourself doing hard work too.

[@Bushradical]

Good question Bruce. When we left on this float trip, I was in shorts and a t shirt. It was the middle of summer...I was probably 24..it was back in about 2001. None of us were prepared at all and we got wet and then the temp dropped when it got late......My hands were super cold, but so was the rest of me LOL.

[@Bruce_S]

Got that Dave. Meant for your current bag ☺

[@Bushradical]

Oh, I'm sorry Bruce, I totally missed that point. A a pair of gloves is a very good idea.

[@Bruce_S]

No worries Dave. When I was about 22, I went up in the Sierras, Xcountry skiing with a friend. All I had were jeans, probably a cotton shirt, a coat and a hat. Don't even remember having gloves. We ended up busting through waist deep snow, in a blizzard, then sleet then rain then more blizzard. You know how that goes in the mountains. I've never been so wet and cold in my life! I vowed I would never go back in the mountains without the proper clothing. That was just pure inexperience. Now I'm usually over prepared, lol.

[@Bushradical]

That sounds like the worst of conditions to be in.

[@briannicholson5917]

I spent the winter of 83 on the south side of Kodiak island. The airline lost my coat, heavy shirt, gloves and rifles. I went all winter with a sleeveless carhartt jacket, long underwear shirt, and a pair of borrowed rubber gloves. I was pretty hot blooded then, still am more than most, but not like I used to be.

[@Bushradical]

I bet you would be after living like that for a while.

[@johnnottahcal5725]

Hypothermia is so sneaky and it’s so easy to get caught unprepared on what appears as a beautiful day! Before you know it, you’re thinking of how fast you got lost, how dark the mountain is after sunset, how lousy you’re dressed for a thunderstorm, and what little items you have on your person for a wet, windy, overnighter somewhere in the dark mountains! 🤬 We left camp to rescue a lost beagle. Found her but about 2am when we were just starting to feel the heat from our lil’ campfire, I lost my cool and screamed at her to bark at something infront instead of making me look behind my tree! 😂

[@saginawdan]

Wool! 🌲🌲🌲

[@jorgeluisgarcia1006]

More no nonsense from our friend Dave! ... and even though we´re not talking about survival paraphernalia inside the waterproof bag, I would put also a quality emergency Mylar Thermal Blanket with the lighter, they´re cheap, light, small and they can turn a pouring rain from a potential disaster, into a minor wet hustle..., mind to share thoughts about it, Dave? HUGS!!

[@Bushradical]

Going into that freezing cold river without any extra cloths or any way to start a fire was an eye opening experience....Ive never thought the same since. I carry a lighter and a sweater when its 90 degrees out.

[@darlenegripshover6042]

Great to know thanks

[@Bushradical]

Happy to help

[@rideon6106]

I HEARD THIS SOME TIME BACK OF HYPOTHERMIA THE FIRE WILL HELP AND SOME WARM CLOTHING . BUT WHAT WILL REALY HELP IS DRINKING SOMETHING WITH SUGAR . THAT WILL GET YOUR BLOOD FLOWING FASTER AND HELP TO HEAT UP YOUR CORE. COULD OF USED THAT INFO ON THAT BIKE TRIP RIGHT DAVE.

[@Bushradical]

Im no doctor, but something sugary always sounds good! Wow what a bike trip....we could have used a lot of stuff! Like good weather, money, rain gear, common sense. But, it would have never been so fun with all those fancy things! Cheers bro

[@bronzesnake7004]

My late brother and I learned from infants, about how cold it can get even in the middle of a hot Southern Ontario summer!! We went up North to the cottage every summer and it's like night and day from city life, where there's all kinds of concrete and tar roads which hold the summer heat all night long. It's obviously a few degrees cooler but many nights trying to sleep in summer was a sweaty affair. Until Dad installed central air! But at the cottage, we always, always has the wood stove going at bed time, and we got pretty cold early in the morning when the fire died out plenty of times! So as we got older, we were just wise to the fact that if we were gonna stay out late fishing for huge Muskie or Pickerel at night, we always had extra warm clothing. So many times we would have guests up and we'd tell them to grab extra warm clothing and they would laugh at us, and some would even start up with the old "kitty, kitty...here kitty, kitty" which was our universal way of calling someone a sissy. Those were the ones we wouldn't push the issue, and it was always so much sweeter being the ones going "here kitty, kitty...come on, here kitty, kitty" and the sad, long faces which were so smart, and smirklinton not three hours earlier was priceless!! Of course we were ten or fifteen minutes from the cottage, so we knew we could make our point pretty much stick without really endangering anyone! LOL! That experience is poof enough for me to know it can absolutely become a life threatening situation in the bush, or out in a wilderness situation for sure. And it's such a very simple thing which can, and has costed lives. So good episode brother Dave! Jack

[@Bushradical]

Thanks for the story Jack. Totally right!

[@bojanmajic]

I once urinated into a bottle to use it as a hot water bag to keep me warm inside my sleeping bag since it has really cooled down althoug it was summer.

[@barryhopesgthope686]

Respectfully, what about a poncho instead of a raincoat?

[@Bushradical]

sure. Either would do the job . Thanks

[@suziehudson8398]

Dry warm socks.

[@Bushradical]

right on

[@rustyshackleford9017]

one million gear videos on YT later... re-upload this 😂 warmth, water, cutting tool, tarp, cordage, you should be good to go

[@KIMI-xt4eb]

dry wool socks........................

[@Bushradical]

One of the best things in life......dry wool socks

[@KIMI-xt4eb]

and wool socks for gloves and ear muffs in 911,,,,,,,lol,,,,,,,,should have new mexico goodies at your post office......help with diaster storm,,,bummers...enjoy.............enjoy videos,kudos and prayers you two.......

[@ajtaylor560]

All great info, until your canoe instantly fills with liquid ice fresh out of the Rockies you don't know what cold is! We literally couldn't hold on, our fingers wouldn't work!! Legs and feet were stumps! I had the rope in my teeth, thankfully the current pushed us onto the shore on a bend. The sun was blazing hot and we were able to inch up onto the bank. As the sun got our hands working we were able to strip down to our skin and slowly warmed up. It was surprising how cold our wet life jackets felt. It took us over 3 hours to recover. Learned some really good lessons that day mostly about how close we came to dying without being injured.

[@Bushradical]

WOW! Thats a great story! And, it makes a really great point of how much that cold water takes out of you instantly. Thanks for sharing that!