For experienced fisherman Neal Dews, wearing a lifejacket didn’t matter. But when an angling trip took a turn for the worst, he soon realised how much it did Since learning to fish on the River Trent in Nottinghamshire, angling has always been an important part of Neal Dews’ life – it’s a passion that’s stayed with him ever since he was young. ‘I was taken under the wing of a man called Colin Walton – a master on the river who taught me everything about fishing,’ Neal remembers. Later in life, with his wife Zoe, Neal named his first son after the river that shaped him – Trent. As a family, it wasn’t long before they swapped life in Newark, Nottinghamshire, for a fresh start in Cornwall. Neal has been fishing the rocky Atlantic shores around Newquay for over 21 years. ‘A fisherman will understand that
when you’re by the water, nothing else matters,’ he explains. ‘Your mind is clear and day-to-day problems are totally gone. It’s just you and the water and it’s good for the soul.’ ‘We’ve really got to get you a lifejacket’ A builder by trade, Neal has always been safety conscious – but on the familiar angling trips he knows like the back of his hand, a lifejacket slipped down the priority list. Zoe always knew whereabouts he was fishing and he kept a portable VHF radio on him at all times, just in case. But, in early 2018, Neal came across an RNLI video featured on the blog of respected angler and writer Henry Gilbey (search online for ‘Henry Gilbey RNLI film’). In the video, Henry and some fellow anglers plunge into cold water with, and without, lifejackets. ‘When I saw that film, I said to Neal: “We’ve really got to get you one”,’ Zoe remembers. ‘We do everything to keep our two sons safe. Lifejackets. Belts and braces, the lot.
But for himself, Neal would say: “No, I’m fine. I’ve got a phone and my VHF radio”.’ Taking matters into her own
hands, Zoe bought Neal a lifejacket for his 50th birthday – surprising him early, as an angling competition was
coming up. She had done her research and bought one online for under £70. ‘I got to grips with it straightaway,’ Neal admits. The tides turn A few weeks later, on Sunday 4 November 2018, Neal headed out for an early morning fish at Newquay’s Tolcarne Beach. Kitting up with his rod, tackle-bag, waders, head torch and coat he had everything he needed – complete with his new lifejacket on top. Looking over the ocean from on top of the beach, Neal spent a few moments assessing the conditions. And, spotting a steady platform to stand on down by the water, he made his way down. After a while, Neal decided to move to a different beach through a cave that connected them. He’d made the journey hundreds of times before without any problems. Grabbing his bag and kit, Neal turned to make his way through the shortcut – but, suddenly, the surf grew stronger. ‘I took about a dozen steps and then I heard something,’ Neal describes. ‘I saw a small rush of water coming in, so I stood and braced myself and it rushed up to my knees. ‘Not even 30 seconds later, there was a louder noise – a big noise. I put my head torch back on and I was faced by a wall of water.’ ‘Please not like this’ ‘I didn’t have time to react,’ Neal continues. ‘Before I knew it, the waves were on top of me. They knocked me clean off my feet, backwards, into the rocks upside-down.’ The crashing surf churned up the sand from the beach, adding to the impact striking
him inside the cave. ‘It was an absolute commotion,’ Neal recalls. ‘I hit the rocks and all the wind got knocked out of me. Panic set in – real fear – and I had no control of what was going on around me. ‘My eyes, ears, nose and mouth were full of sand and water. The only way I can describe it is like putting
a rag doll in a washing machine.’ As Neal was being dragged under the water, the waves triggered the lifejacket’s automatic inflation mechanism, bringing Neal’s head back to the surface. But he wasn’t yet out of the woods. Water and sand began filling his clothes and he was getting weighed down by his bag and kit – leaving him at the mercy of the crashing waves. ‘The water must have dragged me for 30 or 40 yards,’ Neal explains. ‘I remember trying to dig my heels into the sand going backwards. The sea wanted me. It was not going to let me go. I can remember crying to myself: “No, no. Not like this. Please, not like this”.’ ‘If it wasn’t for the lifejacket, I wouldn’t be here’ Just as hope was fading, another wave came, pulling Neal back towards the shore. In desperation, he clung to a rock with one hand and pulled himself up onto it until the water rushed away. He was battered and bruised, but managed to clamber onto the beach, to safety. ‘I was sobbing and sobbing,’ Neal describes. ‘I was petrified – terrified. Words cannot explain it.’ Somehow, Neal managed to get himself home to Zoe and, shortly after, he visited a nurse to treat his injuries. His bruising was so severe that the nurse assumed he had been hit by a car. Neal has no doubt how he survived that morning by the water. ‘If it wasn’t for that lifejacket, I wouldn’t be here,’ Neal says, confidently. ‘It saved my life.’ 

STAY SAFE THIS SUMMER
We want you to make the most of our wonderful coast this season. But just like not knowing when your next catch will be, water is unpredictable. So, however you choose to enjoy the water, follow our simple steps to stay safe:
• Always wear a lifejacket when fishing from rocks or exposed shoreline.
• Check the weather and tides before heading out.
• Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
• Carry a means of calling for help and keep it on your person at all times – even when heading out into water.
• If you see someone in trouble at the water, dial 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

LEARN TO FLOAT
When you enter cold water, your body experiences cold water shock – making you gasp uncontrollably, increasing your risk of inhaling water – which can be fatal. If you find yourself unexpectedly in the water, follow these steps:
1. Fight your instinct to thrash around.
2. Lean back, extending your arms and legs and pushing your stomach up to the surface.
3. If you need to, gently move your arms and legs to help you float.
4. Float until you can control your breathing.
5. Only then, call out for help or swim to safety.

Find out more at
RespectTheWater.com
Words: Michael Carhart-Harris and Jasmin Downs