COLD WATER KILLS!

DO YOU KNOW THAT BEING SUDDENLY IMMERSED IN COLD WATER CAN KILL YOU?

• Cold water will quickly sap your energy regardless of your strength or swimming abilities.
  
  
• After entering cold water, your skin temperature will drop within 3 degrees of the water temperature witin 2 minutes and your heart and  brain temperature will start to drop in 10 to 15 minutes. The shock of  this temperature change may cause heart failure and your death.
  
  
• You may drown in cold water because of loss of the use of your arms  and legs and your  consciousness becomes clouded.

You can expect to remain conscious for:

15 minutes in water 32ºF (0ºC)

30 minutes in water 40ºF (4ºC)

  60 minutes in water 50ºF (10ºC)

    and 2 hours in water 60ºF (16ºC)


---

When boating in cold water:

• Never stand in your boat or canoe.
• Never overload your watercraft.
• Always distribute the load in your watercraft properly.
• Always wear a life preserver and
• Be extremely cautious.

---

If you should fall into cold water, try to follow these guidelines:

1. If your boat is still floating: get in or on it to get as far out of the water as possible.

2. Float quietly and in a fetal position. Immediately after entering cold water it will be difficult to breathe. Float quietly and the discomfort will rapidly decrease. To assume a fetal position hold your arms tightly against the sides of your chest and raise your knees to under your chin. Keep your head out of the water.

3. Do not remove clothing. Clothing will help you stay warm.

4. If the shore is near and you are absolutely certain that you can  make it, try to swim to the shore and get out of the water quickly. If the water is calm, use a back or breast stroke.

5. If the shore is far away, try to remain calm and still until rescued. Few swimmers can swim long distances in nearly freezing water. The exercise from swimming will result in faster loss of strength.

These guidelines are given assuming that a life preserver is being worn.

(The above information was copied from a N.J. Dept. of Environmental Protection flyer.)