Waders and Water

[levi127]

Ok I am not trying to stir anything up or get anything started so dont take this post that way.

What is the deal with neoprene waders? I thought they would act like a flotating device if you fell outta the boat or anything like that. What is the answer honestly? Their have been to many people that have lost their lives in this type of situation. All over youtube someone shows the waders float, with a belt on. Is that the trick or something? Traps air and keeps water out or what?

I mean the waders are to keep the water out so in other words it also keeps the water in.

Help me understand this better and im sure plenty others that are wondering also. Im wondering on all this b/c it seems to happen a couple times a year to hunters.

Best advice I can think of to be safe is wear a vest, and leave your wader straps not attached until you still.

Is there anyone that has gotten into a pond to test these things out? Like lay in the water and fill up and see what happens or anything like that? I mean doing it with someone else with you to help incase of anything.

[greenheadrckr]

Don't know the answer, but would like to know the "facts" also. It would be my guess that if they were to fill up, you would float upside down in the water. Unless of course you had a lifejacket on, then it may help you keep your head above the water??

[bulldog ducker]

If those things fill ip you will sink like a rock. Fell in a slew about 6.5-7 ft deep one time and climbed up a bush that was close but the waders took me to the bottom when they filled up. Did some stupid stuff when I was younger trying to chase those dang ducks.

[cockandlock25]

From what I understand, the waders with the belts act kind of like a buoy if the belt is fastened tight enough with air trapped inside. No belt just means you are wearing your death attire if you fall in and they fill up with water. The pressure will suck the waders to your body and you will probably not be able to get them off in time. I heard the story on the news last night about the guys who drowned too. None of us should take life jackets for granted when in a boat.

[randall25x]

watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXJR1hZb ... re=related

If Im on the river my neoprenes are on and a wader belt is worn. The neoprenes will also help keep you warm if you do fall in.

[hntrpat1]

If those things fill ip you will sink like a rock. .

WRONG get in the pool with your waders on you will be surprised! YOU CAN'T PANIC!

[novacaine]

If those things fill ip you will sink like a rock. .

WRONG get in the pool with your waders on you will be surprised! YOU CAN'T PANIC!

+1
I have been in deep water in knee boots,hip boots, old style waders, and neoprene waders. Don't panic-swim. You won't be setting any speed records but you can stay up and make progress toward the bank or a boat. The old style waders with extra room at the top are by far the most difficult to manuver in but it can and has been done. Since there is more room in front they will catch the water and slow your progress.
My neoprenes fit tighter from top to bottom and take on water but they don't catch water when i am swimming. Try it in a pool- this will build your confidence for that situation when you do splash down. All that being said- always safe to wear a pfd.
Before i carried my 2 youngest duck hunting with their new waders we tried everything out in the pool first so that they could get use to them.

[Faithful Retrievers]

I have never tested it but have pulled someone out of a lake that was thrown from there boat. He was in a panic and was bobbing up and down. He had on loose waders and could not get them off because they had sucked to him. Since then I have worn a belt and was told to try your best to bring your knees to your chest. If you have a vest on you should be able to make it but hypothermia sets in pretty quick. Two things to take out of these lately is where pfd and kill switch and most important respect the water any water in these temps.

[teul2]

Before i carried my 2 youngest duck hunting with their new waders we tried everything out in the pool first so that they could get use to them.

That's a great idea.
I am going to try it this summer too. Just so i know.

[novacaine]

Before i carried my 2 youngest duck hunting with their new waders we tried everything out in the pool first so that they could get use to them.

That's a great idea.
I am going to try it this summer too. Just so i know.

I gotta cement pond in the back yard you can try them out in. If your tough you can try swimmin in those waders this week! Just sayin-if your tough Ya scared say ya scared!

[levi127]

watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXJR1hZb ... re=related

If Im on the river my neoprenes are on and a wader belt is worn. The neoprenes will also help keep you warm if you do fall in.

this is who I was talking about trying everything out on youtube. That is what worries me the most is someone laying in water for 30 seconds saying "yes you will float", well keep your butt out there for about 3-5 minutes and see if your floating then. Also go out to where you cant touch then fill up and see how it works.

I guess anything can happen and some people have a hand on them when things like this happen. Thats why I would much rather hear from someone who has been in a situation like this before and what came of it. I just figured waders keep the water out so when they are in it will do the same. This making the waders heavier and pulling you down. B/c I know honestly, if that was ever to happen to me I would freak the @*%^ out!

Also I notice people saying you will sink and other say you will float. Guess the best advice period it to wear a belt and a flotation device.

[novacaine]

watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXJR1hZb ... re=related

If Im on the river my neoprenes are on and a wader belt is worn. The neoprenes will also help keep you warm if you do fall in.

this is who I was talking about trying everything out on youtube. That is what worries me the most is someone laying in water for 30 seconds saying "yes you will float", well keep your butt out there for about 3-5 minutes and see if your floating then. Also go out to where you cant touch then fill up and see how it works.

I guess anything can happen and some people have a hand on them when things like this happen. Thats why I would much rather hear from someone who has been in a situation like this before and what came of it. I just figured waders keep the water out so when they are in it will do the same. This making the waders heavier and pulling you down. B/c I know honestly, if that was ever to happen to me I would freak the @*%^ out!

Also I notice people saying you will sink and other say you will float. Guess the best advice period it to wear a belt and a flotation device.

You just have to try it out yourself -it's a confidence/panic thing. I agree that hypothermia is a big issue to overcome if you don't drown but first you have to "not drown". When i have gone overboard without a pfd (my stupid mistake but i was young and bulletproof) i was not out there doing the backstroke enjoying the scenery thinking it was cool. I was paddlin,kickin, and swimmin my ass off trying to get to the bank, a tree, or back to the boat. One thing to remember-if your making progress- your not sinking! my 0.02

[levi127]

my biggest thing is I want to learn what to expect incase I ever come across a situation like this. Also to pass along to someone else that might sit back and be worried about this also but not wanting to ask.

Hopefully I will never experience this and hope no one else ever will. Over the last couple of years of being on here I have seen people loose their lives over little mistakes that could have been prevented. Everone makes mistakes and not perfect. B/c I have done some stupid things over the years and been lucky.

How about someone gets in a pool in their waders and posts it up?? That way it is easier for people to beleive and see. I dont have a pool so I couldnt do it.

[levi127]

Oh yea and im a little bit on the scared side, thats why I have questions and comments if you havent been able to tell. It is a lot easier said to be calm rather then panic, b/c I would be the one to panic my #$* off. But as long as you are making progress your not sinking is good way to put it

[Singlereed]

I just hate that it takes a tragedy like this to make us start thinking and asking questions about this type of stuff. When the summer gets here I plan to do some testing either in a pool or in a lake with people their to help if I get in trouble.