Scott Seidman typed:
"Tom Nakashima" wrote in
:
"Scott Seidman" wrote in message
. 1.4...
I was about 6 pools downstream from the Junction Pool when this
happened.
The water was big. I limited myself to mid-thigh wading, and
knee-level would have been much safer.
FWIW, everyone raved about the Roscoe emergency crew's response
time.
Sorry to hear about Justin Everrett. I also wear chest waders and it
scares the heck out of me when fishing fast rivers.
The test that was done on waders here in roff really caught my
attention. I'm tempted to order one of those SOS Inflatable
Floatation Belt Pack.
http://www.orvis.com/store/product_c...dir_id=758&gro
up_id=10758&cat_id=10769&subcat_id=10770&feature_i d=17 -tom
I know there's the age-old debate about whether full waders impede
motion in the water. My own opinion is that they can't make things
easier, and that there is the potential that the wearer can get
pushed about like a boat with a drift sock.
I suspect, but can't be sure, that the biggest contributing factors to
many such tragic incidents are poor swimming skills in conjunction
with simple panic. I might look into the SOSpenders, eventually. I
looked at a wading staff as a c-note well spent on personal safety.
I am concerned that these inflatable PFD's might get in my way,
though.
Sad to hear of this, but I think the primary cause was wading beyond a safe
level, as you mentioned above. I have a fishing partner who regularly takes
water over the top of whatever he's wearing, whether it be calf-high,
hippers, or chest waders - he always goes one step beyond what he can safely
handle. The inside of my current waders, which I've had for several years,
have never seen any water at all save that of the washing machine. Another
thing is that I've seen a LOT of people use waders without a belt, including
my reckless friend. Not me. I always wear a snug belt whether or not I think
I'll be wading beyond knee-high water. Big water and slippery rocks scare me
and if that makes me a sissy, then so be it. At least I'm alive to be called
a sissy.
IIRC, Myron did a pool experiment regarding waders and taking on water a
year or so ago that would be worth revisiting on this occasion.
--
TL,
Tim
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http://css.sbcma.com/timj