hip boots while in a boat?????

[CHUMSALMON]

this is more of a saftey topic, so here goes.
time and time again i see guys out fishing big water, or even small water, in there boats wearing hip boots pulled up all the way and strapped on. I just don't understand this. If they were to fall out of the boat they would almost surely drown! those things full of water are like having buckets of cement around your legs! I'm not trying to offend anyone but, it seems like a pretty big saftey issue, and on top of them having hip boots on, they also are very rarely wearing a life jacket. I can understand needing some boots for launching purposes but, what is the point of wearing them all day, when say your fishing the mouth of the cowlitz or even out near b-10. Just curious to see what everyone else thinks about this. images/icons/shocked.gif

[THE REEL HEY_YALL]

I wear my neoprenes, in or out of the boat. We'll pull off on gravel bars every so often, plus you might be able to present your offering better if you jumped onshore out of the boat.

I guess Pacific NW's can't swim that well because I can rip out of any waders in less than 5 seconds. 2-3 seconds if I'm pushing it, and I've gone in the river a couple of times.

People seem to forget to relax when they fall in; just dead float. It puts you in the proper position for taking rocks if you keep your legs in front. Rubber hip waders would basically slide right off, except right at the heel, if they were to fill with water. I think the only real safety issue would be with children, elderly, handicapped, or unconscious victims.

[Pitch Pocket]

I don't wear hip boots, I wear an insulated knee high rubber boot with good rain pants. Without it, I'm pretty wet and smelly by the end of the day. Piloting a sled from a tiller handle, baiting hooks, netting fish, pulling crab pots, 50 degree weather, rain, bow spray, wind...... gotta stay dry.

Haven't yet, but if I do hit the water, the boots hopefully just slide off and become a catch of the day for the 90%. images/icons/wink.gif

[Grits]

My understanding is that the old myth of your waders dragging you under is not true. I can't remeber how it was explained to me but at the time it made since.

Now is it harder to swim with big hip waders on, you bet but since we all wear some type of flotation device when we are on the water it doesn't matter right!

I would imagine it would be just as hard to swim with a big heavy winter coat on but we I know in the middle of the winter I am not without mine.

I wear my neoprenes chest waders anytime it is going to rain or if it is cold. It makes great rain gear and keeps you warm to.

[Trick]

With all the BS that goes on between the guys in the boat I can understand the reasoning. They wear them to avoid stepping in the cr@p! images/icons/wink.gif

[boater]

never, never, never.

[Ed]

Hip boots - no go

neos - ok

[FM2]

Hip boots are definately not a good idea.

My wife's father and uncle were wearing them while fishing in Linclon city in a small boat. A larger boat came by and created a large wake which capsized their boat. They both drowned because of their hip boots filling with water. They were both excellent swimmers and in very good physical health but the combination of the current and the weight of the boots cost them their lives.

If you have a choice, take them off when in a boat, this could save your life !

[Gizmo Man]

Several years ago, our fishing club rented a swimming pool and our members jumped in with chest waders, hip boats, neopreme waders, float coats etc. A life guard was available.

What we found is that generally boots do not fill up with water while you are in the water. Think about the water pressure that is exerted on your legs when you wade. When our members tried to stand or climb out of the pool is when they filled as the water was trapped.

When we first jumped in the air in your clothes floated your legs until the air was spilled out. What we learned is to get on your back and push the top of the boots against your leg to trap the air. if this was done immediately, you floated.

When you tried to swim with hip boots, what we found was that the top of the boot acted as a brake and wore you out. Also, the rubber boot did not provide any push when you tried to kick. So you got nowhere and you wore yourself out. I found in doing my own tests in our community pool is if I floated on my back and used only my arms, I was able to swimn the length of the pool.

Now this is in a pool and not in moving water.

I have tested my float coat, hip boots, neopremes and the thow cushion in our pool.

If you fall into cold water hypothermia is a factor that one has to deal with as this will kill you if you are in cold water too long. Check the available charts and compare them to the waters you will fish to see the approximates times you have to survive.

In any event, being around water is fun. It can be deadly if you do not pay it the respect it deserves.

Go to a safe area and check your safety equip and see how it works before you need it.

Since this is an important topic, I would like to hear stories from those of you who have taken the plunge with boots on and what your actual experiences where.

Giz...

[ 09-19-2001: Message edited by: Gizmo Man ]

[Deleted User]

i have heard, that the neopremes are easier to swim in, compaired to waders, is this true. also i was thinking of buying a fishing vest/co2 life jacket. the pull the cord kind. i was wondering with the combo of neopremes and the life vest be enough to keep me afloat if i was to fall into to a river?

[Beer Waggin]

Actually if you fall in head first and keep your feet up, hip boots will work as a flotation device. I know from experience, but wouldn't recommend it. I've moved on to neoprenes since then, but only wear them when I know theres a chance that I might get wet, like fishing out of my brothers open sled. I have a windshield, top and heater, so even if I get wet, I can dry pretty fast.

[First Bite]

Several years ago I was fishing with my Father-In-Law on a nice day in mid June. I had on neoprene chest waders with felt sole boots and he had on rubber chest waders with the boot sole. He is a big man and these rubber chest waders looked oversize even for his build. I was leading the way across a tailout with a moderate flow and he was following me. He slipped half way across and in an instant became an anchor with no way to pull himself out. I managed to cross the river and run down below him and caught his out strectched hand as he was about to go under. When we got home I took those rubber chest waders and tossed them in the garbage. If he had neoprene waders on, he probably would've bobbed like a cork. Since that experience I've bit the bullet and bought an inflatable vest that I wear whether I'm fishing from the bank or boat. If I only need it one time it's worth it.

Mark

[smilesforu]

I have had the misfortunate experience of hitting the saltwater in my hip boots. It came so fast I didn't have time to do anything...seriously I was still in a sitting position 4 ft under water before I realized I needed to swim. I bobbed up and was able to have the choice of kicking my boots off, but chose not too. I didn't have to really swim as the boat came back to me.
I don't tie my boots on if I am wearing them and can kick them off if I need to.
One of the things people forget about chest waders is the need for a belt!! If you are going to fill up this will save your life.

I also have a inflatable jacket with CO2 that I wear. If I only knew when I was going under before hand....I would wear it.
images/icons/rolleyes.gif Brand name is Stormy Seas

[Thumper]

I have worn the Stormy Seas products since they came out about 20 years ago. Every time out. No exceptions. Ever. I also partially inflate mine so that there is enough air in them at all times. They have all kinds of jackets, pullovers and vests. Good stuff, comfortable and warm. Make them a regular part of your life afloat and you will never have that strange sinking feeling.

[GutZ]

I painted "Call 911" on the bottom of mine.

[Phil Layer]

I just got an auto inflating Sospender. I haven't even had it on yet but was told by a friend that these meet the boating requirements for "personal floatation devices" only if they are on at all times. I suppose that makes sense.

Just an aside that may save you some moolah.

[Osprey]

I took a spill out the back of small boat on the Black river a few years back,it was all I could do to make it back to the surface,with my hip boots full of water,i decided to fish against the wishes of my partner....that was a foolish mistake,with in 20 minutes I started to shake and was starting to.....just feel weird images/icons/shocked.gif (worse than normal)
We hurried home just in time to be placed in a hot bath.......that was close.

You know Redneck I'm a very strong swimmer,I don't know if yall have a little thing called hypothermia in them thar parts of Bama,but we do.....trust me it was all I could do to get back to the boat in about 10 feet of water....thank god there was very little current images/icons/grin.gif

So as far as Hip boats go I say not agood idea,But Hey......KNEE_PADS are O.K. kinda romantic images/icons/rolleyes.gif ....Os

[ 09-20-2001: Message edited by: Osprey ]

[smilesforu]

Rofl...I think the Knee pads are a Orygun thang. Wonder what will be next...baited breath? images/icons/shocked.gif

[ 09-20-2001: Message edited by: smilesforu ]

[Pete]

Hippers filled with air or neoprenes ... either way they float your feet. Frankly, I'd prefer to have my head out of the water than my feet.

[PittsburghD]

Heck, I wear my waders all the time! In fact I hit the local pool with them. It give you twice the work out than Speedos. In the Winter it keeps you warm and the Summer provides a great place to cool off slightly and balance the PH content. Plus, if you loose a drift sock, bada bing, chuck you pal over board and you stay on course!