Swimming, Safety With Fishing Equipment
Fishing isn't a dangerous sport, but you should prepare
to keep safe and comfortable in the outdoors. It is
possible to get caught unexpectedly in bad weather,
encounter insects, spend too much time in the sun, or get
caught on a fish hook.
Wearing the proper clothing helps to protect you from
injury. It also keeps you warm in cold weather and cool in
hot weather. Rainwear and other gear keep you from getting
wet and chilled.
Safety Around Water
Anglers should learn how to swim and use caution around
water at all times. You should always use the "buddy
system" and have a friend or an adult with you in case
something goes wrong.
Personal
Flotation Devices
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) which
are also called life jackets and life vests, are not just
for wearing in boats. Anytime you are on or around deep or
fast moving water, it is always best to be wearing your
PFD. U.S. Coast Guard and/or state laws require you to
have an approved PFD when you are in a boat. The rules say
a boat must have one PFD for each person on board. Certain
types of boats must also have a cushion or ring that can
be thrown to a person in the water.
Wading
There are several rules you should follow for safe wading.
- Always wade with another person.
- Always wear your PFD.
- Find out how deep the water is.
- Find out how strong the current is.
- Find out what the bottom is like.
- Use a stick or staff. Shuffle your feet along the
bottom to avoid holes.
While wading you can protect your ankles by wearing
high-top shoes or wading boots. Long, lightweight pants
can protect you from jellyfish and sea nettles in
saltwater and from snags and rocks in freshwater.
Reach-Throw-Row-Go
Reach-throw-row-go is a method of rescuing a person who
falls overboard or an angler or swimmer in trouble.
The first safety step is to REACH out
with an oar, tree limb, or other long object if the person
is close to you. If you can't reach the person, then
THROW them a life-saving device. This can
be a boat cushion or ring that floats. If possible, it
should be tied to the end of a line so you can pull the
person to you. If a cushion or ring isn't handy, anything
that floats can be thrown. Plastic coolers, ski belts, or
even beach balls can be used in an emergency.
If there is nothing to throw, ROW a
boat to the person in trouble. There should be someone
else in the boat to help pull the person in trouble into
the boat. The person should be pulled in over the stern,
or back, of the boat. If the boat has a motor, it must be
shut off before you get to the person in the water. Don't
let the person try to climb in over the side of a small
boat. This can tip the boat over. If the boat is small,
have the victim h
ang
on the gunwales, and tow him to shore.
Swim out to save the person in trouble ONLY
as a last resort and ONLY if you are an
experienced lifeguard or have had life-saving training.
Going into the water after the person in trouble is very
dangerous. People who are drowning often panic and injure
or even drown someone trying to rescue them. Going quickly
for help is often the best choice.
Swimming
If you fish, you should know how to swim for your own
safety. Many young anglers like to go for a swim during a
fishing trip just for fun or to cool off. Don't swim if
there is any doubt about your ability. Never dive into the
water of an unknown area and don't swim after a heavy meal
or in cold water. Swim only when an experienced swimming
partner is with you.
Safety With Fishing
Equipment
Handle your fishing equipment responsibly. Look
behind you before you cast to make sure your hook will not
be caught on a power line, a tree, or a person. If you
leave your tackle lying on the ground, another person can
trip on it and fall, step on a hook, or bre
ak
your tackle.
Take caution and use long-nose pliers to
help remove hooks from a fish. If a hook is deep inside
the fish, either cut off the line and leave the hook in
the fish, or use a hook disgorger. Hooks left in fish will
work themselves free or rust out.
When transporting your equipment, remove the hook or lure
from your line and store it in your tackle box.
Content courtesy of the
Future Fisherman Foundation.
