Few years back I saw a video, demonstrating what to do, if you get in trouble on a stream while wearing waders. This is another of those 6P's Principals.

P1: Get your butt down in the water with your head, and legs up on the surface ( V shape). Think of your buttocks as the keel and you are a boat, the keel helps to keep you upright in the water.

P2: Extend your arms straight-out to the side (as Outriggers) on the surface, to help keep you from rolling over. This will help to keep you stabilized in the water.

P3: Keep the feet and legs pointed down stream, they will act as a bumper if you meet with boulders or other obstructions. This position, will also give you a view of possible exit points.

P4: Try to position yourself in the current to be on the inside of any bend in the water, this is where the current is slow, and the bottom is more likely to be shallow, and will be your exit from the water.

P5: When you finally beach your buttocks on the bottom, do not try to stand up immediately. Instead unfasten the belt and suspenders (remembering to keep your butt resting on the bottom) and work the waders down your legs. This will remove the water inside the waders enough for you to crawl onto shore, on your hands and knees.

P6: Once you are finally on dry land (with the waders around your ankles) you can stand up, and remove the waders.

Memorize these rules until they become 2nd nature to you, at all times on the stream, you may even want to practice a few times.

Remember...

PRIOR
PLANNING
PREVENTS
PUTRID
POOR
PERFORMANCE



[This message has been edited by Steven H. McGarthwaite (edited 16 November 2005).]