My Dad was a lobsterman for 12 years and just being careful is not enough to "drastically lower your death rate" for a profession fisherman unfortunately.
You can't control how long you've been awake. You can't control a rogue wave the sweeps you off the tail of the boat. Professional fisherman have enormous respect for the sea.
You can control your wakefulness with certain drugs that are very common on commercial fishing boats.
You can improve your odds of not being overswept by using your tethers appropriately and wearing proper protective gear which many people forego because it's less comfortable to work in.
You can't control how long you've been awake. You can't control a rogue wave the sweeps you off the tail of the boat. Professional fisherman have enormous respect for the sea.