Missing Angler

NottmDon · Dec 1, 2004

Lets hope this chap turns up safe and well. Far too many anglers end up dead because they dont wear lifebelts or flotation suits. Its so tragic and dare I say needless? Did you know that fishing is classed as one of the most dangerous sports/past times by insurance companies, gets kinda scary if you ever look at the statistics regarding angling deaths. I have a flotation suit which I always wear in winter day or night fishing the only trouble is how do i know it will work and if it doesn't will I be around to complain. Its not something I had given any thought to until my son asked the question the other night.

Chris Bishop · Dec 1, 2004

Fishing is the second-most dangerous sport in terms of fatalities (dozen-odd a year) after microlight planes/hang gliding etc.

Luckiest escape I've ever heard was a guy whose brolly was struck by lightning a few years back. He'd been holding the pole until a few minutes before hand and had his trainer resting on it when it was hit - melted his Nikes but he was ok.

Baz · Dec 1, 2004

Don,
Take your'e flotation suit along to the public baths, and ask them if you can try it out there. At least it will settle your'e own mind. It also gives you the chance to see exactly how it holds you up in the water. (not panicking or struggling)

Joskin · Dec 3, 2004

where did you get those stats from? I would have thought that there were far more dangerous sports out there than fishing. How about Scuba diving, Skiing, climbing, motor sports etc.

Laurie Harper · Dec 3, 2004

Maybe the stats include commercial fishing, which is one of the riskiest occupations...

alan · Dec 3, 2004

NottmDon, if you have a proper floataion suit, they do work. i was worried about it to untill i asked a shop that sells life jackets, any product with a rating of 50 newtons will keep you afloat, but wont roll you on your back, 150 newtons upwards will roll you on your back if you are unable to do it yourself. there are quite a few stories about guys washed off rocks whoed floated about waiting for the s&r guys to collect them.
they are supposed to keep you warm in the water as well.

James Henslowe · Dec 3, 2004

Alan, absolutely right as long as you wear them properly. been out on charters often with blokes who sit on the jacket, don't fasten the belt etc.

In terms of danger, don't forget those who go fishing for overhead powerlines, and the kind fishery owners who provide swims complete with overhead powerlines.

Anyone tried the chest wader flop, a la Falkus?

NottmDon · Dec 4, 2004

Thanks for that Alan, I dont intend taking a dip as the life boats wont come this far up the Trent lol, however a daft question from my son did make me wonder. Least If I do fall in I should be okay, as far as specialists suits go this one is about the warmest I have ever had and fortunately for a river angler like me its not bright orange!
Joskin, I got it from an inurance broker when I was renewing my life cover, it does take into consideration commercial as well as pleasure fishing or rather it did! I got my insurance from someone who didn't rely on statistics to try and get a bit of extra coin from me! What is that saying? "Theres lies, dam lies and then theres statistics" Element of truth in that I guess.

john conway · Dec 9, 2004

Re The stats, Angling is the largest participant sport by far so it?s not surprising that it has the greatest number of fatalities. However, if you re-quote the stats as the odds on an individual angler getting the chop they will be very small, compared to say climbing Everest, which the last I heard was something like a 1 in 10 chance of getting the chop.

Missing Angler

NottmDon

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Chris Bishop

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Baz

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Joskin

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Laurie Harper

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alan

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James Henslowe

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NottmDon

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john conway

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