Çhest waders fo launching ???

[PeterM]

Read this with interest . Superb video & music form Gurnard filling his waders !

I do use Leg waders which I find I can slide on & off in the boat over normal or sallopette boating kit , then put boots on to keep me warm ( and allow me to jump over the bow in Swanage) .

I tend to want to dress for launch and boating differently ( unless I expect to get wet while boating then its drysuit time).


I only need to get to knee depth to launch & recover most things I have so they work well & are cheap & replaceable should I snag them or they leak. More money to go on fuel & stuff then a 'tool' to get me in the water - but the right set up makes thing super easy to use the boat which means I use it more !

[jimbo747]

The question of waders crops up quite frequently on the kayak forums, with stories of people being dragged down to their deaths.

In fact, waders contain water, which has the same buoyancy as other water. You don't suddenly sink because you have water in your waders; it doesn't magically become heavy water.

What it DOES do is make getting out of the water much harder since you have to lift the weight of you and that water back into your boat. The same is true if you happen to leave the relief zip open on a drysuit, as I found out last year.

And yes, as is said above, wear a lifejacket/pfd.

[Fly360]

Flooded waders don’t drag you down because they are heavy. They prevent you from using your legs in any meaningful way and greatly restrict your movement. With only your arms to keep you afloat and all that extra drag from the rest of your clothes, you’re not as strong a swimmer as you thought you were. Add cold water shock and it is much worse.

All I can say is that there are two opinions on this matter, those who have had very scary real life experience, and those who are speculating about why it’s not that big a deal. Everyone please try it some time with a lifeguard nearby lol

Simple fix is the sacred life jacket

[Martin]

I dont think I've ever heard of or seen anyone from this forum go out without wearing a life jacket of some variety.
Generally, i think the majority of us are pretty aware of the basics and realise just how bad things can get.

I agree, completely filled waders will not drag you down, Yes they will limit your swimming movement/capability,
Yes, they will make getting out of the water nigh on impossible,

Gurnards video, as funny as it is, as educational as it tries to be...
It does not explain that your waders will NOT fill up that much.
It doesn't explain that your likely to trap air in the waders to aid buoyancy.

What It DOES explain is trying to get back on your boat will be impossible.

[ChrisParish]

So, it sounds like all you need to do is make some holes in the bottom of your waders, then they would drain!

[Martin]

So, it sounds like all you need to do is make some holes in the bottom of your waders, then they would drain!

What a great idea

[ian9365]

I have personal experience of how chest waders can be dangerous, I came within a hair of the pearly gates on account of mine.

I was fishing in a river in about 2ft of water when over I went. It wasn't water that was the problem but trapped air. My legs shot up and no way could I get them down. Luckily with my bum on the bottom and my hands behind me I was able to keep my head just above the water but no way was I able to do anything to recover myself. Luckily there was another fisherman who came and helped me up.

If that had been at sea I'd have been a goner for sure, probably even if there was assistance nearby.

Always wear a lifejacket.

Ian

[Gray]

I too have had a bad experience with waders on a kayak. My waders were under other layers of clothing, fleece, jacket etc. When I went in they just retained air and caused my legs to float. Ideally you should have your head as the highest point in the water not your feet. If you are going to wear waders always use a wading belt and squat down to expel as much air from them as possible.

[Ross-L]

I have personal experience of how chest waders can be dangerous, I came within a hair of the pearly gates on account of mine.

I was fishing in a river in about 2ft of water when over I went. It wasn't water that was the problem but trapped air. My legs shot up and no way could I get them down. Luckily with my bum on the bottom and my hands behind me I was able to keep my head just above the water but no way was I able to do anything to recover myself. Luckily there was another fisherman who came and helped me up.

If that had been at sea I'd have been a goner for sure, probably even if there was assistance nearby.

Always wear a lifejacket.

Ian

Watch this and it could save you next time you take a dunking in a river, also I recommend using a wading stick. I'm in the process of making myself a new stick with some nice antler, after wading for a few hours in early spring last year my legs fell asleep with the cold and I nearly went for a swim.