In article ,
Scott Seidman wrote:


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.

Well, I've fished around Frank enough you would think I could validate
this but alas.

FWIW I consider myself an average swimmer so doing the Naval Aircrew
Deep Water Aviation Survival stuff every four years was pretty
intimidating. The reality was though as long as you were calm and didn't
panic I think anyone could handle themselves with waders on. The Navy
test included a mile swim in a flight suit, tread water in full flight
gear for 15 minutes then drown proof for 15 minutes followed by 75 yard
swim using three strokes. Flight gear for me was a g-suit, torso
harness, flight suit , boots, uninflated survival vest and helmet and
oxygen mask. Total of about 45 lbs of gear before it got waterlogged.
There was a bunch of other stuff but that was the periodic requal stuff.

I've never seen the Junction pool of course and in rough water it could
certainly been a damn near impossible task. Perhaps we would all be wise
to find a place, have a buddy handy and intentionally fill the waders
just to see how it works.

Allen