RedactedNarrative: While operating his vessel near his duck blind, Operator fell overboard.  He called (son) who was working in the area on deer stands and stated that he had fallen out of his boat and was dying. Son called 911 and a friend to come with a boat.  Responding SCSO Deputies boarded the boat with son and friend and rushed to the scene where Operator was found unconscious chest deep in the mud/swamp water partially on a grass island with his boat nearby.  The boat was still running and in gear up against the bank.  They pulled him into the boat and detected a slight pulse.  Deputies began chest compressions on him while son and friend operated both boats back to the launch.  They were met by EMS at the launch and he was brought to St. Charles Parish Hospital.  He was later pronounced deceased from apparent cardiac arrest by the emergency room doctor.  The vessel was a tiller operated surface drive.  Proper PFDs were on board the vessel, but were not used.  The kill lanyard was removed, and the switch was taped so the engine would continue running.  While the kill lanyard and PFD were not properly used, they are not believed to be a contributing factor in the outcome of the accident.