Çhest waders fo launching ???

[chris moody]

I would practice the removing of your chest waders with an inflated life jacket at home before you need to do it in real life. As with all boating related things the key is to have a plan for when it all goes wrong, and to have practiced that plan several times beforehand.

Just like it's a good idea to inflate your lifejacket at home and check you can still reach your VHF / PLB / Safety knife while wearing it inflated.

I wear a floatation suit & thigh waders which come off pretty easy if you fall in & I did once in shallowish water, the waders filled up but I didn’t have a problem with them as you can just push them down, chest waders....not so sure, but it’s what your comfortable with.

[mm289]

I think there are two "potential" issues with chest waders if you went in the drink are:

1. The air trapped in them can go to the boot end effectively making these high whereas the rest of you soaked in water is low. A lifejacket would combat this but potentially would be compromised in terms of its ability to keep your head above water correctly.

2. If the waders fill with water they are incredibly heavy and limit your movement significantly, thus swimming/getting back onboard is very difficult if not impossible.

The points above are based on my research not on practical use/experience

If you search the Gurnards YouTube channel he did a really interesting video showing him filling up his waders from a hosepipe whilst he was wearing them - its worth watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EB0sZZpbRQ

I would qualify the comments above by saying these typically apply to the rubber/oilskin type waders, not sure if the same would apply to the neoprene ones Chris has, which looked a better idea

Cheers,

Paul

[harrison]

Yeah I'd echo Paul's points above, well said.

While I acknowledge waders wont drag you under, but unless you can take them off in the water, then god knows how you'll get back on board. Seems like an unnecessary, potentially dangerous, complication to me.

Paul also makes a very good point regarding trapped air....not that sort, silly. The last thing you want to be doing is bobbing around in the water like an upturned cork, legs akimbo.

This trapped air is also highly relevant to dry suits as well, as I'm sure you're all aware. See lots of people not bothering to expell as much air as possible through the neck by crouching down after donning. Don't want to be doing your best inverted 'michelin man' impression when the RNLI arrive.

[Andy]

This trapped air is also highly relevant to dry suits as well, as I'm sure you're all aware. See lots of people not bothering to expel as much air as possible through the neck by crouching down after donning.

Exactly, I hope nobody noticed me at Poole, going on me knees looking like I was doing a Sh**e, I was expelling my air, and not through by backside. The nack is to open up your collar, then squat! Feel the breeze ! But it still leaves enough air trapped to help keep you afloat, but unlike the B'ham Navy, (I am a Black Country guy from birth, no offence to you B'ham guys, although I worked in B'ham City Centre for some years, left 15 mins before the bomb, and yea your all great in a pub, but need a little help on the water. Canals are different from the sea) we still need life jackets as the main way of saving life ! I can swim, means squat when ya got a decent tide running ! Sorry ranting a bit !

[Martin]

I used to wear waders all the time when launching, they’re a good cheap starting point but they are painfully annoying to wear whilst out for the day- boating in wellies is not my idea of fun.

Are they dangerous?
I dont think so, perhaps the person wearing them is in danger if they haven’t thought things through or as advised actually tried the swamped boat boarding scenario.
I know this will upset the many, but I don’t acknowledge the “fill your waders with water video.
Neutral buoyancy will be the order whilst in the water, the struggle as said will be at the time of boarding.

Cold water shock, that’s your biggest threat... I guess you’ve all seen the RNLI video.

I’ve seen several videos with people jumping in the water without life jackets on (for test purposes) wearing waders and a coat. The coat reduces water ingress to the body, thus slowing water feed to the waste/Çhest entry to the waders.
The belt on the waders reduces water ingress and the air trying to escape also holds the water out. It is by no way going to keep you dry, but they certainly don’t flood like many say they will.

I’m not advocating them to be safe but nor am I taken in by the “death trousers” ramblings.
@Andy B loves this subject too

The air in your waders actually helps with buoyancy, pull your knees to your chest then you won’t end up head down and feet up.
Obviously anyone with half a brain will also have a life jacket on, so the waders will actually assist! (IMO)

Like Chris, I like to get out without masses of gear on in the summer months, life jacket is a must, vhf attached to it..

Launch trousers are what I wear now (fitted sock) and I find them extremely comfy and none restrictive.

I’ve nothing against dry suits, They're perfect for the colder months, I don’t own one, but then I just do what suits me..

I have a full flotation suit if needed, I carry it with me on long journeys, the weather can change very quickly so being prepared is the main thing.

If i was out all the time in the winter months, if I used the boat more would I buy a dry suit, yes I probably would.
Would I use it all the time.. probably not

Everyone is different, you can only do what you feel is right.
Just don’t forget the basics imo..
and stay safe!

We’re extremely lucky on this forum to have the likes of experienced boaters & professional safety trainers on board to help advise..

I’ll go hide behind the counter now before I get bombarded

[Andy B]

@Andy B loves this subject too

I'm going nowhere near this!

[Martin]

@Andy B loves this subject too

I'm going nowhere near this!

[harrison]

”It’s The Wrong Trousers Gromit”

The Wrong Trousers

[Martin]

Brilliant

[Alimac]

I was recomended Launching Trousers (tks Paul B). https://www.tridentuk.com/gb/trident-dr ... c-743.html
they have latex feet, and the trousers are light and comfortable to wear all day... top of with a cag or waterproof jacket.. and life jacket.. only used a few times but excellent. a pair of wetsuit boots or old trainers and good to go..