Flyfisherman drowns

[MR.GT]

I think, panic is a bigger threat than the water in the waders.

I have fallen into Lakenvlei, in the middle of the dam, in the middle of the winter with waders. Plus I have been washed down stream in quite strong rivers with my waders on.
Herewith some of my observations.

a. your waders dont just fill up with water.
b. there is the pressure from the water that first of all pushes all air out of the wader. The wader then sits thight agains your body.
c. If a proper wading belt is used, it traps the air in the bottom section for a while, providing floatation.
d. Once all the air is out, from the compressing of the water, water can slowly fill the wader, if you start swimming.
e. A fly vest will hold the top side of the wader tighter against your body, preventing the water from "gushing" in.

My recommendations

DONT PANIC. I know it is easier said than done.
But by not panicking, it gives you 3 or 4 extra minutes, to think and act.

ALWAYS ALWAYS wear a wading belt. it gives you an extra minute or 2.

5 or 6 minutes that you have extra, gives you a huge chance of survival

Wouldn't a good way to learn this be to practise in the swimming pool...?
It a controlled envirionment so not much can go wrong....

I wouldn't know as I do not own waders...

[smallstreams.co.za]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYwG52p4yjs[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2m0_naq0-qc&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

[smallstreams.co.za]

"You CAN drown, and people often DO DROWN wearing waders IN RIVERS, NOT IN SWIMMING POOLS!! I know FISHING GUIDES who have drowned. It's the combo of swift cold waters entering your waders and dragging you down, plus the added weight simply makes you exhausted trying to keep your head above water. Your heavy, cold, tired, being wisked down stream--All ingredients for a death."

[JCD]

I understand the theory of why people drown in waders and there is more than enough proof.
What I don't understand is how is it possible.... Waders even when full cannot weigh enough to drag you under.
In a river waders full of water would be like a drougue and the force of the water will pull you under, not the weight of the waders.
In a still water you should be able to float on your back with waders (sealed with a belt) till hyperthermia or exhaustion get you.
If they fill with water and you manage to get your boots off you could float on your back as well ?

[rockspider]

I always carried a sharp fixed blade knife in a sheath on the belt or shoulder strap, living over here it gets more difficult to justify to a police officer why i am walking through London with a knife to go wading in town.

do you think it is a viable option to cut the waders off in an emergency?

[poppernel]

Guys!!! this is not just a wader issue. But a all round focus on safe flyfishing. Whether one drowns, gets murdered, highjacked and robbed, never like in diving do it alone. Even practice safety for you and your family, and to other road users to your destination.
Getting back to flyfishing dress. No ff dons waders in the surf or estuaries for starters, unless really ''juppie'' tendencies. FATAL!!!
Nature in itself throws some curved balls, so to speak, now this is the challenge. Get comfy with the norm, or always expect the un-expected. This I beleive is our fault. We get to tied up in our sport and satisfaction and get to relaxed, when thigs happen, sh@t happens and we are no longer in control, panick sets in and kills us.
SAD

[poppernel]

I always carried a sharp fixed blade knife in a sheath on the belt or shoulder strap, living over here it gets more difficult to justify to a police officer why i am walking through London with a knife to go wading in town.

do you think it is a viable option to cut the waders off in an emergency?

Best tip here so far, that knife can save your life.
or fillet some good fish

[wernerm]

Very good idea. I would think a knife like the ones used for skinning will be best since you can hook it in at the bottom and just pull.

[windknot]

I work and fish alone often and as a result I have learnt to make sure that I am safe by paying more attention to my surroundings and using appropriate safety equipment. Maybe the solution is to wear a floatation device when wading rivers to counter waders filling with water. Not much bouyancy is required to keep you alive and and it doesnt have to be more bulky than a fly vest. Fishing in the surf is a strictly t shirt and shorts affair as a shore dump will catch you sooner or later so waders are a no no. thats my 2c.

[cookie]

I had in ireland a fishing vest with a build in "air bag" that bows up with gas/ air as soon as you fall into water.