Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! > Ice Fishing Safety
Clothing: floating vs sinking--what are your thoughts?
Coldfish98:
Hello friends. I have always heard that heavy winter clothes will actually help you float by trapping air, instead of dragging you down by absorbing water (of course i'm talking about normal heavy duty winter wear, not specialty ice and striker suits). I have always been a little skeptical of this; it seems to me that clothing that is not designed for water repulsion and with heavy insulation would instead absorb water, adding weight and making it much harder to pull yourself out. I wan't to hear what you guys have too say, especially if you have first or second hand knowledge. Have you fallen through? And if you have, did your clothing help you float or drag you down? What kind of clothing was it: general cold weather wear or specialty ice suits? Thank you guys. I always wondered about this and I couldn't find any good info anywhere. I have always bundled up in a standard heavily insulated winter coat and bib with multiple under-layers and I wan't to have the knowledge in my head of what to expect if I were to fall through.
GCD:
These videos will show you exactly what to expect:
This video will explain the shock and panic when you first go through the ice and what to do to overcome it and get out of the water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gOW8ZaYqHA
This video will show you the difference between a floating suit and non floating clothing and how the latter absorbs water and pulls you down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PAwzPgRYOI
If you'll watch and listen to these videos carefully, you'll see why floatation is important when out on the ice.
Coldfish98:
--- Quote from: GCD on Feb 06, 2016, 10:28 AM ---These videos will show you exactly what to expect:
This video will explain the shock and panic when you first go through the ice and what to do to overcome it and get out of the water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gOW8ZaYqHA
This video will show you the difference between a floating suit and non floating clothing and how the latter absorbs water and pulls you down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PAwzPgRYOI
If you'll watch and listen to these videos carefully, you'll see why floatation is important when out on the ice.
--- End quote ---
This is very good! I have seen the first video, but not the second. It is very helpful and enlightening. Thanks for sharing!
Gills-only:
Panic is the key, stay calm!!
Coldfish98:
Thanks for the tips. Mainly, I'm concerned with clothing: does heavy winter clothing (not specialty ice safety clothing) trap air and help with flotation or does it drag you down due to water absorption? GCD's links were good. Everybody should watch those. Keep it coming guys!
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