"Dave LaCourse" wrote in message
...
Do yourself a favor and try it. I did it a number of years ago with a
rope
tied to my arm. I jumped off the dock at Lakewood Camps in Maine into
some
cold water. I had a friend in the water and another on the dock with the
other
end of the rope. Swimming ashore on my back was no trouble whatsoever.
The
biggest hindrance was not the waders or shoes or wading staff, but my
fishing
vest (minus my fly boxes!). I went back into the water to see if I could
take
my vest off while in deep water. I couldn't. So, in fast water, like
others
have said, get on your back, point your feet downstream, keeping them near
the
surface, and backstroke to shore or to a place where you can stand.

If you are fearful, buy an inflatable vest - one with a co2 cartridge.
Orvis
sells a very good one with co2 and a manual inflation stem. Also
available are
suspenders (as Fortenberry has pointed out).

Good Reiding.

These are all good postings, I'm glad that I asked about this since I'm not
a good swimmer.
I had no idea about on what to do if my waders got filled with water, and
the suggestion about trying it might be a good idea, to see if I can float
on my back with my feet up. Might look stupid in the pool, but it could
also save my life someday.
-tom