Avoid venturing out onto the cold wintry waters alone, because a buddy can save your life, or vice versa. If you find yourself in cold water, try to get back in or on your boat immediately. If the boat capsizes, do not leave the boat because the overturned boat is easier to spot than a single person in the water. If you are not wearing thermal protection and you can’t get out of the water, keep as still as possible. Fold your arms against your chest, cross your legs to reduce the amount of cooling surface. Rely on the buoyancy of your life jacket and float quietly until help arrives. If two or more people are in the water, huddle close together. Put your arms around each other to slow down heat loss. Stay together and stay still, letting your life jackets keep you afloat.
Planning for cold weather off-season boating is essential. Wear clothing that will protect you in the event of cold-water immersion. Always wear your personal flotation device. On land, conventional wisdom advises that you wear layers of warm clothes. On the water this will not help you. The shore side winter clothes will not be effective in retaining your body heat. You can wear layers of clothing under or inside a waterproof shell. An effective cold-water outer suit is a waterproof fabric with neoprene waterproof gaskets at the wrists, neck, waist and ankles. Survival suits, like the Stearns and Mustang types, are available from local boating equipment retailers or though catalogs. You can also wear cold-water survival suits under your regular clothes. These suits are worn by windsurfers and river paddlers and are similar to a divers dry suit.
As you plan your trip you should pack dry clothing in a waterproof bag. Make sure that your boat has adequate bailing equipment. You may want to make provisions to facilitate re-entry into your boat by having a boarding ladder or even a rope overside. Your life jacket should have a sound producing device such as a whistle or horn and a reflective device attached to it. Before you leave home check the weather forecast for the day because a cold rain can soak you and bring on hypothermia almost as fast as a dunking. Prepare a float plan and leave it with someone, or at least notify someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. When you return let them know you’re back. Never go out alone. Using the buddy system is a proven lifesaver. While you are out, observe the boats around you, their location and proximity to your boat. On cold water, you have to depend on each other for quick rescue in case of an accident. You know, you watch them and they watch you and you help each other out.
If you are going out into cold weather situations, whether on the water or on land, you may run into someone who is experiencing hypothermia. You might be able to save that person’s life by knowing the right way of providing first aid.
Hypothermia First Aid
The victim shivering, but coherent, indicates mild hypothermia symptoms. Move victim to place of warmth. Remove wet clothes; give warm, sweet drinks; NO alcohol or caffeine. Keep victim warm for several hours.
Moderate hypothermia symptoms include reduced body temperature with shivering decreased or stopped. Victim may seem irrational with deteriorating coordination. Treat same as above but no drinks. Victim should be kept lying down with torso, thighs, head and neck covered with dry clothes, coats, or blankets to stop heat further heat loss. Seek medical attention immediately.
Severe hypothermia symptoms show shivering probably stopped; victim resists help or may be semi-conscious to unconscious. Victim must be kept prone, on back and immobilized. Cover torso, head, neck and thighs with dry covers to stem further heat loss. Do not stimulate arms and legs in any manner. Cold blood returning to the body core may cause cardiac arrest. Get medical help immediately.
Once removed from the water, victim appears dead, no breathing or pulse apparent and body is rigid. Assume victim can be revived. Apply dry clothing or covers like above. Look for signs of pulse or breathing during first two minutes. If pulse or breathing is found, even in trace amounts DO NOT start CPR. In this state, CPR can cause cardiac arrest. If you can’t find a pulse or sign of breathing, CPR should be started only by a trained and qualified crewmember. Rush victim to nearest medical facility by best means available.
Cold weather boating has its rewards for the prudent mariner. Following a few simple rules will help keep your safe, or at least increase your chances of returning home. Wear warm clothing. Wear a PFD at all times. Every year we read and hear about the ‘experienced boaters’ that die in cold weather boating accidents. Nearly every one of those missing mariners was not wearing a flotation device. File a float plan. Never go out alone. Check the weather before leaving home. While on the boat keep an eye on the weather and know when to quit and head for home. Even in cold weather, leaving the dock is optional, but returning is mandatory.