Think you're safe out there in the middle of Lake Jindabyne? Think again. Sunday February 17 was an afternoon fishing trip that one Jindabyne family will never forget.

It was panic stations to get the engine started when what looked like a dead stick floating on the water turned out to be a very much alive Tiger snake 1.5 metres long. As fishing rods were being reeled in, dad, one hand on the wheel and the other operating the video recorder, managed to get it all on camera.

It's an understandably shaky record, but never the less a vivid reminder that one can never be too careful when out on the water. The family did not wish to be named but was anxious that people were aware of the potential dangers.

"The snake was a fast swimmer and could have easily out swum any of us," dad said. He added: "As I turned the boat it was desperate to get aboard and followed our every move with its head up about 5 centimetres out of the water."

Like humans, snakes tire when swimming long distances and the chance of a welcome rest atop a surf ski, boat, canoe or even a swimmer's head could be irresistible.

Once landed it could prove fatal. Some years ago it was believed that an unfortunate swimmer climbed aboard a warning buoy only to find a snake already resting there and on that occasion it did prove fatal. The swimmer who apparently having been bitten, swam back to the Claypits shoreline, lost consciousness and later died.