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Cold Water Boating

Be Prepared

If the worst happens, why not be prepared? Here are some things you can do in advance to give yourself a better chance for survival if you do end up in the water. First of all, dress for the water temperature, not for the air temperature. Having lots of layers on will help you survive if you do end up in the water. Secondly, wear a hat. When in the water, 50% percent of your heat could be lost through your head - the hat will help slow heat loss down. Eat high energy foods and carry a candy bar in your pocket; if you fall in, you’ll be glad to have the extra energy. Bring extra clothes in a dry bag or garbage bag and keep them in the boat just in case someone in your party gets wet.

H.E.L.P.

This position, the Heat Escape Lessening Position, or H.E.L.P., aims to protect some of the areas of your body most prone to heat loss - the head, neck, sides of the chest cavity and the groin area.  If you are wearing a life jacket, this position can be very effective.  To reach this position, you should bring your knees up as close as possible to your chest and grasp your hands together over your chest. If this is too difficult, or too unstable, cross your calves, bend your knees and pull your legs close to your body. Cross your arms and tuck your hands flat under your armpits.

FLOATING IN WADERS

If you find yourself floating in the water with waders still on, try to use them to your advantage. Allow some air inside them so they float on the surface, then hold your hands together behind your knees or your neck and float until help arrives.  This position is most effective if you are wearing a life jacket, otherwise you’ll have to use your arms to tread water, or float on your back with your head in the water, which will make you lose heat more quickly.

HUDDLE

When several people are stranded in the water, they should form a huddle. Facing inward, they should link their arms over each other’s shoulders or under each other’s arms to get as close as possible, to share as much heat as possible. If there are children or seniors along, they should go in the center of the huddle so they can receive warmth front and back. Two or more people huddled together can increase survival time by 50%.

  

These survival positions are most effective when the person in the water is wearing a life jacket. If the person is not wearing a PFD and is forced to swim, they should do so as slowly as possible. Anything that can be used for flotation - logs, parts of the boat, gas cans, whatever - should be utilized for flotation. The swimmer can also try breathing into his clothing to put air - and hopefully some floatation - into his torso area.