Cold Water Can
Kill
Wearing a Lifejacket and
Thermal Protection could save your life
It's finally Spring. The days are getting longer,
the air carries a sweet fragrance and the ice has receded from the
lakes. It's a time when millions of Canadians finally get
back their favourite pastime and head out on the water in their
boats.
Smartboater.ca was created by the Canadian Safe Boating
Council in partnership with the National Search and Rescue
Secretariat to remind Canadians to take a few extra precautions to
guard against the dangers of a fall into Cold Water.
Many people think that a fall into the water is no big
deal. They can climb back onto the dock or swim the short
distance to shore, or they can right their overturned boat and get
back in. If the boat can't be righted, they can put on their
lifejacket and hold onto the boat until help arrives. The
reality is when dealing with cold water those goals often can't be
reached.
It's hard to imagine what happens should you unexpectedly
find yourself in cold water. Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht, Professor
of Thermophysiology at the University of Manitoba, has experienced
first-hand the effects of cold water. He developed what he
calls the 1-10-1 Principle to help you understand how your body
will react. You will have One minute to get your breathing under
control, as there is an initial gasp response followed by extreme
hyperventilation. Ten minutes of meaningful movement before the
muscles in your extremities lose their effectiveness, and up to one
hour before you lose consciousness due to hypothermia. If
you're not wearing a lifejacket and survive the initial shock and
gasp, you have very little time before their arms and legs begin to
stop functioning, preventing you from staying afloat.
Studies have shown that our bodies lose heat approximately
25 times faster in water than in air of the same temperature.
If you are wearing thermal protection such as a neoprene wetsuit,
paddling dry suit or a floater coat/suit, it will help keep you
warmer for a greater length of time.
Should your boat capsize and you find yourself in the
water, try to reduce the rate of heat loss by climbing onto the
overturned hull or any other floating object such as a
cooler. If none are immediately available, remain as
motionless as possible to allow your skin to warm a thin layer of
water around your body. Thrashing in the water not only disturbs
this layer of warmer water but also accelerates heat loss. If
you are alone, tuck your legs and fold your arms across your chest
in the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Position) to protect your vital
organs. If you are with others, huddle together interlacing
your arms and legs and pressing your torsos together to preserve
body heat.
One of the big questions is whether to stay with the boat
or swim to shore. You should only consider swimming for shore
if you are wearing a lifejacket, your chances for rescue are very
slim and the distance to shore is manageable. (Be aware that the
effort involved in swimming will increase heat loss and adversely
affect muscle movement.)
Keeping these considerations in mind and taking proactive
steps to protect against the dangers of a fall into Cold Water will
go far towards making your boating activities safer and more
enjoyable. Remember too that, in Canada, many of our larger
bodies of water remain cold throughout the summer.
Whether you use a power boat, sail boat, personal
watercraft, canoe, kayak or fishing boat, find more information on
a variety of boating safety tips by visiting www.SmartBoater.ca.