Fishermen drowning in our inland waters
With the fishing season beginning on October 1st for many of our lakes and rivers, it is timely to reflect on the misadventures for fishermen over the last two decades.
There have been 11 angling drownings in the past 20 years, and some key patterns are present: Males over 35, fishing alone and without a lifejacket form the bulk of the fatalities.
Water Safety NZ reminds us to re-visit the ways to keep safe when out fishing, and increase our survivability if we fall in.
"Wear a tight belt over your waders, and an inflatable life jacket."
Two key pieces of equipment can significantly increase fishing safety: A wading belt that fits tightly around the waist can prevent water from filling into waders if the person falls in. This aids buoyancy, and reduces the sinking effect of waterlogged waders.
The second piece of equipment is an on-demand inflatable life jacket. These are inexpensive and widely available and can make all the difference if a person finds themselves out of their depth and struggling to remain afloat.
Water Safety NZ has produced the infographics analysing each incident, which you can view below or in a new window.
The Department of Conservation has a very helpful page with additional tips and techniques on inland fishing safety.