Have had river blinds a few times. Most were in the sloughs but one required a short cut through the channel. Even in my dumbest days, I wore and required anyone in my boat to wear a life jacket. Even if it didn't save your life (a 50/50 proposition at best in ice water) at least it saved the families from the heartache of not knowing. Floating bodies are easy to find.

The only disappointing thing is looking at their ages. I would like to think by 30 or so, most of the really dumb stuff was out of my system...

Sad deal for the friends and family...