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I saw this posted on another forum and thought it interesting and informative. Of course, I realize that there are other problems with this kind of experience, like trying to get out on a slippery bank with 40-60# of water in the waders.
Anyway, just thought it worth posting and reading. [  ]
[url "http://utahwildlife.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35856#p370912"]Waders Myth:[/url]
I read in another post where someone was worried about their waders filling up with water and pulling them down in the water.
I watched a video a few years ago where someone jumped off of a bridge [about a 6' drop] while in full chest waders.
After the waders filled with water, the person had control and could swim and float almost the same as if he wasn't wearing waders.
The reason is that once the waders fill with water, the pressure inside and outside the waders become the same.
It was a good thing that I saw the video.
After viewing the video, I was floating the Green in my pontoon and tipped over as I went through the falls at about 1.5 miles below the Dam.
My waders quickly filled with water but I didn't panic are soon realized that I could maneuver in the water without the fear of being pulled under.
I held on to my pontoon and swam to shore.
After removing the waders and emptying out all the water that I could, I put the waders back on and continued down the River to Little Hole.
I got to my truck a little wetter than I had planned but no worse for the wear.
The key is to NOT PANIC!
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This has been brought up before, but cannot be mentioned enough, thanks Leaky.
Oh was the guy that jumped off the bridge Lee Wulff? Cause he did it in RUBBER waders.
However, something else to add is Neoprene can help one float.....
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This is a good thing to know and also with the neoprenes even if wet they can still insulate from the cold too. And the key is not to panic or it could get worse.
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Fishing a stream in Alaska (lakestream was the name of it) I to fell off a raft and into the drink. I was wearing waders. 3.5 mill neopreme chest waders. The problem is the waders act the same as a sail. The current being as swift as it was I was unable to pull my self out of an under tow and was effectively held under water. I am somewhat apalled that someone would let there waders fill with water on a stream and in fact hasten there demise. Use of alternative flotation is the only way to avoid the problem. And even then luck and alternative assistance is the only way I survived. On that stream the life jacket was what helped enough. There is no other alternative in my opinion.
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[quote Leaky33] I saw this posted on another forum and thought it interesting and informative.
Anyway, just thought it worth posting and reading. [ ]
[url "http://utahwildlife.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35856#p370912"]Waders Myth:[/url]
I read in another post where someone was worried about their waders filling up with water and pulling them down in the water.
![/quote]
So you just HAD to call us out huh? Whats the matter Leaky33 did you not get enough on the UWN? I am sure this post will just bring more trouble than its worth but hey....everyone can share their opinions on BFT....thats what makes this site great.
Here is my twin's personal testimony from when it happened to him....
"I was on the Yellowstone's Madison River near the Masdison Campground. I was attempting to cross the river at a place where I thought I could cross (just above a bend/junction in the river). As I stepped into the deeper section of the river all the sudden, the ground disappeared. Before I could react the swift current took me under the water. Within seconds the waders I had on filled to the brim. As I bumped along the rocks on the bottom I began clawing at the ground with my hands hoping to find my way out. No matter how hard I tried to push myself back up I was still being dragged under the water. Once the waders were full I noticed that the current was not dragging me as fast as it once was. With little in the way of options left I stripped the suspenders, lossened the belt off, and tried to shake the waders loose...which did NO good. Running out of air I began to panic (plus I was 11 years old)!! Luckily for me the next bend in the river pushed me to the opposite bank where I was finally able to breath the sweet fresh air again. This all took place in a matter of 30 seconds or so but it felt way longer to me. The other fisherman on the bank raced over to me to see if I needed mouth to mouth and were just as surprised as us that a person in waders CAN go under like that!!! Maybe waders have changed in the last 11 years or maybe we just have a cheap pair. Maybe there was an under tow current or maybe it was the angle of my body going under.... Either way I DID almost die out there, so for all you that think "in theroy" that you can not sink....think again. It is not worth your life."
P.S. - We didn't catch any fish that day either. That park is a pretty tough place to fly fish!
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The old rubber waders are much more dangerous than neoprene or breathable waders. Neoprene and breathable are going to be pressured up against the body and won't allow the water to fill up like a balloon.
The old rubber waders are stiff enough that they will fill up and effectively act as a drift sock with a human body in it.
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Someone with a pool should have a get-together where a person could jump in with his/her waders on (with a rope nearby to pull oneself to the surface) to see what it's like firsthand. That would lesson the panic if it happened in real life.
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Sorry about the near death experience, but I am glad Leaky posted this. People are quick to blame the waders.
I would advise also, when fishing rivers to ALWAYS wear a belt and have it tight.
There is neutral buoyancy in waders full of water. the weight outside the waders is the same as inside...while you are in the water.
However, when you change the equal ratio, it is like lifting a glass of water out of a sink full.
Undertows could drag you down even if you are not wearing waders (I found that out as a child in the Snake).
To try to stay calm is a tough one but in truth, the answer. relax and try to keep your head above.
Thanks again to all for this very important information.
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I have to agree 100% with FG. Waders aren't going to save you from the current and undertows. They may not pull you under but they aren't a PFD. I went for a ride several years ago on the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone with my breathable waders filling up. Pointed my feet downstream and no harm done as the ride ended when I entered a patch of slower water. I was not pulled under by the waders. I didn't even notice the waders had an effect compared to if I hadn't had them on. Now when I got to shallow water and stood up you could feel the weight of the waders with water. I was new to fishing rivers at the time and didn't have a belt on. I wear one now so if it happens again I won't have such wet clothes not because I think a belt is somehow going to save me. I'd jump any day into a pool with waders. It's the current. Reminds me I was fishing a small creek in Idaho with my dogs when someone on horseback came by on a trail a ways up with a dog. Their dog barked, ran down and attempted to cross the stream toward us. Only problem it picked a tight bend with quick water and got pinned down against a log on the bank. The person on the horse couldn't see this from above the bank. After about 30 seconds of struggling I was afraid it was going to drown so I headed over to try to pull it out. Fortunately it finally got out before I reached it. This was a tiny stream probable 10 cfs and the dog was probable 40 lbs. I was surprised the forces of the water could be that strong but the dog picked a spot that I would never have tried to cross. I'm pretty sure if the dog had waders it would have still been pinned just it could have blamed the waders in that case[  ].
We need to be careful whether we have waders on or not.
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I agree, you should always wear your belt. I was chasing a fish downstream on one of those fast pocket water sections of The Logan last year, and I was so focused on the fish that I didn't realize I was stepping off a small shelf. It took my legs right out from under me. I had my belt, so a little wet was all I got. Well, my camera was full of water too, but I got to try the rice trick first hand and it worked very well.
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I'll hold the rope!
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My plan if my waders started filling was to just hurry and unhook them and let them drop. Would that not work?
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I remember seeing the Lee Wulff video but can't find it. I did find this one. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuSIiujivUk
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[quote jdawg183]My plan if my waders started filling was to just hurry and unhook them and let them drop. Would that not work?[/quote]
Possibly, but they could compress against you as well, making it hard to do that. Remember, they don't weigh more filled with water "IN": the water, so they are not going to fall off.
Best scenario is to keep your head up out of water, get to shallow water to stand up, then get on land, lay on your back, slide the waters down, put legs in the air and empty.
MY story on this, fishing the snake in November. Water was only to my knees, but fast.
Fish on and I turned to see where my fishing partner was. My feet went right out from under me. I put my arm out to stop my fall, but water being as fast as it was, my head was under water and the river flowed straight down to my feet.
What a rush!!!! That was cold!. I woddled to shore, but debated on taking the waders off...by now, the water was getting a little warmer in there (and NO yellow!) just body temp.
I laid on my back and emptied, and kept fishing for another hour...ride home was terrible!....
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Wow, that is scary! All of these stories are. I had never really given thought to how actually filling the boots would affect the buoyancy. I am thankful to the OP and everyone else for this thread. This issue has actually been weighing heavy on me lately.
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I have had a couple close calls similar to the ones mentioned, but there are also other risks to consider when wading. There was an older gentleman fishing the Teton in Idaho a few years back. He was walking upstream and lost his footing. He fell straight backwards and his wading boot got stuck between two rocks. Laying flat on his back with current flowing over him, you can imagine the ab strength it would take to sit up and get upright again. Not gonna happen. I think he was able to get little breaths here and there but was getting wore out fast, so he quickly grabbed his pocket knife, cut his boot off and slipped his foot out no worse for wear. Since I heard that story, there are certain waters where I always keep an old ski pole tied to my belt to keep my footing and also to prop myself up if necessary. I also always keep a sharp knife handy.
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Do you see this as being a different problem if he wasn't wearing waders? Man, ever went swimming in Levis!!!!!!
But, another great point...NEVER fish a river without a wading staff. You can get one at Walmart that folds up into a holster, but there are branches all over as well.
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If you're a skier or used to be, like me, a ski pole with a wrist strap, is great and with my balance problems as I get older, this becomes more important that ever!!! Should have been using one, particularly in high flows before. I've fallen lots, tumbled down rivers, gotten up, but am still going. [ ]
Have my own story of extreme survival, neoprene waders, actually kind of funny, 40 years ago. but I guess I'll hold my  since this isn't the purpose of the thread. [ ] Lost a very valuable duck gun, model 12, 12 ga., pump. long barrel, about 40-50 years old, then. A collectors item now worth lots of $. [frown][frown][frown][frown] Oh well, such is life.
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