Re: Scary...could have been Darwin's law at work
The only thing I remember about pulling a stunt like that (this is completely hypothetical of course, long before my curmudgeon days began), is that all that snow clothes stuff gets flippin' heavy when it's wet. I would have just worried about someone not being able to stay above water long enough to get out.
The lack of buoyancy from wet clothing is not as bad as one imagines. Remember that as the clothing absorbs water that water is no heavier than the water you are floating in.
I have in the past during water rescue classes put on a set of the old Woolrich red and black wool hunting clothes including the pants and boots and went in the water. I have floated for over twenty minutes while the instructor was speaking without having to make any motions to tread water. After that just a little arm movements would keep me afloat. Those old suits would trap a lot of air.
I have also gone in street clothes wearing an old surplus ammo belt with 8 pounds of lead in the pockets to simulate the duty belt and equipment in a class on use and care of our Mustang PFD’s. Almost no effort to keep afloat without even inflating the PFD. Once inflated I could stay up without any help on my part.
I would recommend that everyone throw some winter clothes on this summer and take a dip. It is a good confidence builder.
