You guys know anybody that drowned or almost drowned while wading?

[riverrat47]

I hunt using a drysuit. Not a scuba suit but one designed for paddling/kayaking (Kokatat SemiDry Supernova). It is called semidry because it has a neoprene neck gasket vs. a latex one like you have on your wrists. It has a relief zipper and is the safest most comfortable thing I have ever hunted in.

I will never hunt out of waders and a parka again. .02

From what I could find, the Kokatat suits come in pretty bright colors, useless for waterfowlers. Am I not searching far enough or have they quit making subdued colors that would be adequate for duck hunters?

 

[WidgeonmanGH]

From what I could find, the Kokatat suits come in pretty bright colors, useless for waterfowlers. Am I not searching far enough or have they quit making subdued colors that would be adequate for duck hunters?

We wear a wading jacket over the top for camo. The legs are grey. The nice thing is they do not have to be perfectly waterproof and you don't wear them for warmth. Color has not been a problem for us. In addition if someone needs to find you in the dark and in the water camo is not exactly the best color/

 

[Grif]

2 years ago New Years Day, snowed north of us, (all we got was a ton of rain) hoped it pushed some ducks down. Hunted the mouth of a creek that dumps into the river. Creek normally only waist deep, but the river was massively up and ugly (full trees were rushing down it), so had to set the dekes from the boat.

An hour or so into the hunt, a barge came down the river. Barges pull a ton of water and all the decoys headed for the river channel. I waded out to try and grab them before the hit the channel and disappeared forever, while my son (17 at the time) ran for the boat hidden about 75 yards away.

I was being careful, advancing 1 foot at a time to make sure I didn't step off into the 30 ft deep channel, when suddenly the current took my feet out from under me and threw me out in the deep water.

Yes, neoprene waders float, in fact they try to flip you upside-down. I'm a poor swimmer, but fighting full waders and incredible current I was improving quickly, trying desperately to get out of the channel and tiring fast.

My son rescued me, pulling up to me in the boat, I clung to the side (can't lift waders full of water, and I'm exhausted) he took me to shore, tossed me the dry bag, picked up all our gear, got back to me by the time I got dry clothes on, and hauled me the 7 miles back to the ramp.

That's pretty scary, and cool....you raised your son well.

 

[Northhunter]

I always hesitate to get involved in these arguments, as someone always has some story of someone they know who drowned or nearly drowned and they KNOW the waders pull them down. But they drowned because they panicked, the waders didn't pull them under.
Several years ago, when that Coast Guard guy was on here, I was hoping he would mention the courses they give on water safety, which includes going in the drink with waders on. It's an excellent course, if you ever see it offered, take it. It reinforced what I'd already been taught.
The water inside the waders weighs the same as water outside the waders. It isn't going to weigh you down. AFTER you get out, the water in the waders weighs you down. Your panic actions are what drown you. Rubber, canvas, or breathable waders have enough air trapped to keep you afloat, wader belt or not. I've never owned a pair of neoprene waders or hip boots, but I imagine they would be even more buoyant. When I went thru the USCG course mentioned above, neoprene waders weren't available.
I spent 30 years as a rivers biologist and another 10 as a consultant on rivers & streams, from the Mississippi to small rivers and streams. I've filled my waders hundreds of times in streams and rivers, in all sorts of temperatures, and all sorts of river stages, and never once did I feel that I was going to drown. Hypothermia, yes. Granted, regular swimming isn't easy, but if you don't panic, you will float and can direct yourself toward the bank. Bring your legs up to your chest and paddle with your hands. No problem. And, if you happen to be wearing a life vest, it's a breeze.
This will be my only post on this, as I'm not going to get into BS "what if," or "I knew a guy" arguments. I've been there numerous times.

This ^

College program I was in had us throw on our waders and jump in a pool, then get out with them on. They also had us swim laps with day clothes on.. that was eye opening.
I'm a strong guy, and can swim decent. With jeans and a sweater on it was a struggle.

 

[Grif]

I remember 40 years ago some of the guys I hunted with on the river/big water had "float coats"....basically a life jacket that doubled as a hunting coat, or vice versa.

Is anything like that made today?

 

[Northhunter]

I remember 40 years ago some of the guys I hunted with on the river/big water had "float coats"....basically a life jacket that doubled as a hunting coat, or vice versa.

Is anything like that made today?

We have a couple @ the camp, but they're from the early 90's maybe. They make floater "suits" for snowmobiling, I don't know about hunting attire.

Edit; google says yes. Yes they do.

 

[There.is.no.ST]

The Reelfoot killer died while trying to wade to the bank.

Hope it was slow and painful.

 

[bill cooksey]

Hope it was slow and painful.

While it was obviously a horrendous crime, I have some empathy for him and his family. Old guy didn’t know if he was afoot or horseback.

 

[mister gadwall]

I remember 40 years ago some of the guys I hunted with on the river/big water had "float coats"....basically a life jacket that doubled as a hunting coat, or vice versa.

Is anything like that made today?

Stearns brand floatation coat. I have one in the basement that has been there for 40 + years. The things were bulky and tended to sweat you as neoprene does with even light activity ...get sweaty under the coat and you get cold real quick when being still in a hunt. Never had to use it for survival while hunting. It also was quite unwieldy to try to win in when I did the pool test.

 

[riverrat47]

I remember 40 years ago some of the guys I hunted with on the river/big water had "float coats"....basically a life jacket that doubled as a hunting coat, or vice versa.

Is anything like that made today?

I agree that they are bulky and IMHO too bulky and warm to hunt in. If you are hunting in a boat blind, they are comfortable for the ride to and from your site & you don't have to find a way to hide them after you take it off. The downside is remembering to bring both coats, but it becomes second nature in a bit.
Through the years, I've had all kinds of survival suits and float coats. All would keep you afloat, but all were hot. The Survival suit was so stiff you could hardly move in it, AND even with minimal movement, ie: operating and starting an OB motor, you were sweating like a lady of the evening in church.