Life jackets, slippery rocks and swell, the danger of falling into breakwater tetrapods, lightning and power lines, and what to do in an accident.
Fishing accidents do not only happen in rough, remote places. A breakwater you visit every week or a busy rocky shore can turn serious the moment you misstep. Once in the water, clothes and boots soak up water and drag you down, and cold water drains body heat and strength in a short time. Even good swimmers are often helpless in surf or a cold reservoir. So the heart of fishing safety is not falling in, and being prepared to stay afloat if you do.
A life jacket is the only gear that keeps you afloat if you fall in and lose consciousness or strength. Make it a rule to wear one on breakwaters, rocks, boats and reservoirs alike. Fasten the straps snugly or it can slip off in the water. Inflatable life jackets are light and comfortable, but the inflation mechanism must be checked regularly. On a boat, follow the skipper's instructions and wear it from boarding until you step off.
Tetrapods, the concrete blocks piled around breakwaters, are a particularly common site of fishing accidents. Their surfaces are rounded and sloped, and moss and water make them extremely slippery. The gaps between them are deep and narrow, so once you fall in it is hard to climb out alone, and because you cannot be seen from outside, discovery and rescue are delayed. Many people are also injured hitting the blocks on the way down. Many areas designate tetrapods as restricted zones; whether or not they are restricted, make it a rule never to climb onto tetrapods to fish. Fish only from the flat top of the breakwater, in sections with safety railings.
On rocky shores, patches covered in seaweed and moss are as slippery as ice, and the darker and wetter the rock, the more dangerous it is. Swell from far offshore can arrive as a sudden big wave on a calm-looking day and sweep people away. In many places the way back floods on the rising tide. Wear shoes with non-slip soles, avoid low spots with signs of wave wash, and never turn your back on the sea. Go to unfamiliar rocks with someone experienced, and check the tide and your exit route in advance.
Many rods are made of materials that conduct electricity well. If you hear thunder, collapse your rod immediately, keep low and shelter in a building or car. Casting near power lines can electrocute you through the line and rod, so check overhead first. In winter hypothermia is the danger; in summer, heatstroke and heat exhaustion. Bring clothes for the season, water and snacks, and if you start shivering or feel dizzy, stop fishing and rest straight away. If symptoms do not improve, get medical help.
When you fish alone, there is no one to raise the alarm. Go with at least one other person if you can; if alone, tell family or a friend where you are going and when you expect to be back. Keep your phone on you in a waterproof pouch with plenty of battery. For night fishing, bring a headlamp and a spare light, and fish only where you have checked the ground in daylight. Never stand at the water's edge after drinking.
When someone falls in, jumping in after them is the most dangerous thing you can do. Would-be rescuers often become victims too. Call emergency services first and give your exact location, then throw a ring buoy, life jacket, rope or anything that floats, such as a cooler. The person in the water should lean back and focus on floating rather than thrashing. If a hook goes in deep or you are stabbed by a sharp fin or spine, do not force treatment yourself; get medical care.
Leave without hesitation when a weather warning is issued, waves reach your feet, the wind keeps building, you hear thunder, or the sun is setting and you have no light. Follow any restricted-area signs or instructions from safety staff. Being able to fish next time matters far more than one catch. This guide is general safety information; on-site safety instructions and weather information always come first.
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