Your Ideas Are Needed to Improve Fishermen Safety with Dr. Laurel Kincl of Oregon State University

We've got a seat at the table! This is a behind-the-scenes look at a candid phone call with Dr. Laurel Kincl of Oregon State University. She called to learn from our POCF experience and ask what we would suggest to make fishing safer. I'm sharing because I want you to know that others outside the industry care and want to hear our opinions on the matter to improve commercial fishing at large! Also, your opinion is greatly welcomed! The Fishermen Led Injury Prevention Program (FLIPP) is conducting research over the next several years and would love your thoughts. After listening, what questions do you have or improvements would you suggest? Please send them to support@meganwaldrep.com or connect with the FLIPP team at https://health.oregonstate.edu/labs/osh/resources/flipp

UPDATE: Dr. Kincl emailed the local Coast Guard to answer my question on life-saving techniques if a fisherman is overboard and boots fill with water:

"The removal of boots is always an interesting question.  AMSEA (and us as well) have done demonstrations where a person who finds themselves in the water shouldn’t concern themselves with kicking off their boots.  Not every situation is 100% for sure, but in most cases, the guidance is to stay still and concentrate on flotation.  Air is often trapped inside of rain gear, clothing, and even the boots themselves.  Thrashing around trying to swim will allow the air to escape.  In the example you presented, the person is already in a PFD.  So, my recommendation is to keep the boots on. For our Coast Guard boat crewmen, they are in a dry suit, PFD, and are wearing very heavy boots. We leave our boots on. Even with someone in the water without a PFD, with the air trapped in the clothing, some flotation will be experienced.

In my experience with swimming (ocean survival training and finishing 2 Ironman triathlons) the majority of swimming propulsion comes from the arms. In the AMSEA drill class, we teach the chain swim, which is 100% arm strokes." - USCG D13 Chief of the Fishing Vessel Safety Mike Rudolph

Other Helpful Resources Mentioned by Dr. Kincl:

Fishing Partnership Support Services (FPSS): https://fishingpartnership.org

Alaska Marine Safety Education Association: https://www.amsea.org/

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