And the confirmation from the Heli-rescue guys,- 7 years with no recoveries-, that -you're gone- the moment you go over the side of the boat. Sure, all the stuff we talk about(safety gear) would be helpful, but I still think you're gone in a situation similar to this.

This NYT's story is a miracle, in real life.

Sailing and climbing on top of buildings hold a similar fear for me. Each endeavor has 0 forgiveness of going over the edge. My awareness of risk has grown with age(typical), sailing or building. So I could feel the panic of that handle on the cooler letting go. That's exactly the point, the moment of no return that haunts me. That's a point I think about constantly. I bet that guy will never pull another thing, with the sea behind him.

I sometimes get the PFD lecture from family, and it's true. But I also could see myself laying dead on the ground below a staging, with a PFD on.