Dave, good points!
JD, from my experience I've stood in the wash chest deep and stayed dry....just don't go over the top of ur wader line, if possible. You shld wear them as high as comfortable as possible, tighten the shoulder straps. Buy a size bigger so u can layer if need be. Remember cotton is the enemy so wear wool socks if you can. I've accidentally swam in my waders and top for a few minutes when I stepped into a hole and came out dry....lucky!
Dave when is ur seminar @ ronnies again? Is like to see it.