Waders do not make you sink!

I have heard so many times "I do not wear waders because it will make me sink!"
It's a myth!
Trust me, I have fallen into big lakes, washed down big rivers, small rivers in flood (in the middle of the winter).
Waders do not make you sink.

If you throw a pair of waders in the water, look what happens. They float for a long time, because of trapped air.
The same happens when you fall in with waders. The trapped air will provide extra buoyancy. The water from the lake or river presses against your body and water cannot rush or flow into your waders.
If you do not wear a wader belt, the water can easily get into your wader when you start swimming, but if you have on a wading belt, only a little will get into the top of your waders, maybe 2 or 3 cups of water. If you have a jacket on the outside of your waders, even less will enter.
The only problem is that the water is cold against your body.

The secret is not to panic. Panic makes people drown. Not waders
It is easy to say "Do not panic" when you fall into the water in the middle of a lake, but keep calm, swim or paddle to your boat or tube. Steady yourself and collect yourself. Take stock of the situation and then decide if you can climb into the boat or tube or hang on and kick to the side.

So remember: Waders do not drag you down and make you sink!