Those are questions I honestly never considered until two months ago, when I suffered an episode of what the doctors diagnosed as "transient global amnesia." The common medical explanation for this condition is "a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that can't be attributed to a more common neurological condition, such as epilepsy or stroke. During an episode of transient global amnesia, your recall of recent events simply vanishes, so you can't remember where you are or how you got there."
It was a little better than five hours before I started remembering things again. The one recurring thought I've had since that event is wondering what would have happened to me had I been on the water alone when that episode hit.
As a result, I have made some changes in what I do to get ready for a fishing trip. The first thing I do is attach names of family and friends to a series of group texts. Then, during the trip, I let everyone know where I'm headed and when I arrive. I repeat that process for each stop throughout the day, and wrap up the trip with another note telling everyone I'm quitting and heading in. The final text lets all know I'm back safely at the marina.
It's not a fool-proof plan, but it's better than no plan at all.
It goes without saying that the best plan would be to find someone who can fish with me every time I head to the water. However, that's easier said than done. Most people have their own set of responsibilities and priorities, and rarely, as I've learned, do two individuals have matching free time on their hands. Thus, I am forced to settle for second best--at least, for the moment.
I realize that some of you may be saying, "That's all well and good for minor emergencies, but what if something major occurs?"
For example, I just recently read about a 70-year-old gent whose body was found near a boat ramp. The subsequent investigation revealed he had had a heart attack and undoubtedly was dead before his body ever hit the water. There also was an account about a man who had a heart attack while launching his boat, but emergency personnel reached him in time to save his life.
In cases like these, I'm guessing your best bet is to have a GPS medical-alert system. With one of these, help is available from your backyard or the "back 40," as long as there is cell service. Call-center operators use the GPS coordinates to pinpoint your position and dispatch the nearest emergency responders. And because they have all your emergency information about pre-existing medical conditions, the responders will arrive on the scene ready to act. In a situation where minutes--or even seconds--count, that degree of preparedness can be a lifesaver.
Given the fact none of us know when our time will come, there's not much else beyond these measures one can do to ensure his/her safety, whether it be at home, at work, or out fishing.
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