PORTSMOUTH, Va. — As temperatures continue to fall across the Mid-Atlantic, the Coast Guard would like to remind you that waders are not a substitute for life jackets.
Waders are great at keeping you warm and dry, but if you fall into the water they can act as an anchor, making a precarious situation much more dangerous if not paired with a life jacket.
Coast Guard-approved life jackets can be worn over waders and will allow you valuable time to get to safety if you happen to end up in the water. In 2020, 75 percent of victims from boating accidents drowned as a result. Of that 75 percent, 86 percent were not wearing life jackets.
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“Whether you’re fishing or hunting, on land or by boat, the most important thing you can bring with you is a life jacket,” said Lt. Cmdr. Katherine Blue, Coast Guard Fifth District Public Affairs Officer. “We see it time and time again. A good day out on the water can turn bad very quickly. Having a life jacket on makes our job easier and increases your chance of getting back home to your loved ones.”
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