Wading Safety

Thanks fluff Chucker. Too many people get into trouble while doing crossings. The TRM report is always going on about their anglers falling in, I have spoken to guides who have had their clients go for a swim. So here are the things I look out for when I need to attempt a crossing. slower water, shallower water and a lack of big rocks. Now that would be a perfect crossing but on many rivers you don't get all three together so you start trading off. A crossing with big rocks that is waist deep but is slow water is ok if you take your time, but if you threw in fast water it would be a no no. Fast thigh high water with NO rocks is ok as well, even if there are a few rocks present but plenty of sand to put your feet on this is ok.
Once you have made the decision of where to cross you need to check out what the situation is downstream of you. If it all turns to custard and you go for a swim you don't want to go down a freakin big rapid! I always think about where I am going to get out if I do fall in and if there is no escape rout then I think twice about the crossing. Always give yourself room to drift down, start higher in the crossing. Have your exit point located before you enter the water and aim for it. Keep an eye on where you are placing your feet and if the ground is rocky then LIFT your feet high with each step. Always make sure you keep an eye on your exit point.
If you do slip and go for a swim or if in the middle you realize it was the wrong choice and you are going to go for a swim, GET ON YOUR BACK ASAP. Because you are in waders and have a wading belt on ,you will float for some time. Only put your feet down to attempt to stand up when you feel safe enough to do it. Remember you have thought this through before the crossing was attempted and so you know were to try and stand up! The worst thing that can happen is if you get a foot wedged into something and you go over so your head is first. Don't panic, you will float.

The link up. My last trip on the Whanganui was a tough one guys. The second beat we did proved to be a challenge on the crossings and we did well over thirty of them for the day all is swift rocky conditions. The water was up and they were all a test of skill, balance and team work. What we did was grab the person next to us by the strap on their backpack so we were in a link. By doing this we supported each other and even if two of us lost balance the third was there to steady it. We did crossings that day, a single person would have had no chance of doing and we did them with relative ease.

lastly if it looks to fast, too rocky or just to scary don't attempt to do it. Drownings are a real threat to fisherman, slipping on a rock and whacking your head is another. be safe out there.