Southold, N.Y. – After
the exceptionally long, cold, and snowy winter that has besieged the northern
U.S. this year, many boaters are eager to launch their boats and get back on
the water as soon as possible. However, exposure to the cold water and air temperatures
of early spring can cause a dangerous drop in body temperature, resulting in
hypothermia. Even prolonged exposure to cold air temperatures can lead to
hypothermia. So, it is important for boaters to take special precautions to
avoid hypothermia while boating this spring.
What is hypothermia? This condition results when the body's temperature drops
below 95 degrees. Hypothermia symptoms start with feeling cold, shivering and
loss of coordination. It progresses to violent shivering, increased heart rate
and impaired judgment. Finally, in advanced stages, symptoms include the
cessation of shivering, loss of consciousness, cold skin and blue lips, and the
inability to speak or swim—which can result in death.
A person in the water cools down more than 20 times faster than in the air, so
a quick rescue for a person overboard is extremely important. In addition,
smaller people and children cool off faster than larger people, so a life
jacket can greatly aid in survival. Not only do life jackets help keep part of
the body out of the water, but they also cover some of the body to preserve
heat.
With this in mind, the Sea Tow Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to
promote boating safety, offers the following tips for avoiding hypothermia
while boating.
- Everyone on
board should wear a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) when
boating, especially in cold temperatures. Not only do life jackets provide
flotation if you fall in the water, but they also cover some of the body
to help preserve heat.
- Proper
preparation is crucial for cold-weather boating. Make sure in advance that
the boat is shipshape and check the weather forecast. Always file a float
plan and tell someone when you expect to return.
- Before you set
out, practice rescue and self-rescue techniques for cold-water boating.
Many accidents on the water involve flipping smaller boats that can be
righted and re-boarded using the right techniques. If your boat capsizes,
climb on top of it to get out of the water.
- Dress in several
layers of light clothing. Wool clothing is practical and offers good
protection.
- Stay out of the
wind. The effects of wind chill can rapidly cause heat loss—especially if
you are wet.
- Exercise
vigorously to counter the early stages of hypothermia. Generating body
heat and limiting further exposure to cold can help you to ward off
hypothermia, as does eating high-energy foods and warm liquids.
- Should you fall
in the water, try not to panic. Conserving heat is imperative, so keep
movement to a minimum, and don't swim unless you can reach a boat or
float. Swimming lowers your body temperature, and can shorten survival
time in cold water by more than 50 percent.
- The major body
heat loss areas are the head, neck, armpits, chest and groin. If you are
not alone in the water, huddle together or in a group facing each other to
maintain body heat.
- Never give
alcohol to a hypothermia victim. Although alcohol may make the victim feel
warm, it actually increases blood flow to the extremities of the body,
further increasing heat loss.
By keeping these tips in mind, boaters can stay warm and enjoy early spring
boating in safety.
About the Sea Tow Foundation
In 2007, Sea Tow Founder and CEO Capt. Joe Frohnhoefer
created the Sea Tow Foundation – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – to
promote safe boating practices. The Foundation's goal is to reduce accidents,
fatalities and property damage related to recreational boating. For more
information, please visit www.boatingsafety.com.
About Sea Tow
Sea Tow Services International Inc. is the nation's leading on-water
assistance provider for boaters. Established in 1983 by Founder & CEO Capt.
Joe Frohnhoefer, Sea Tow serves members inland to the
coast throughout the United States, Europe, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto
Rico. For a full list of membership benefits, how to become a Sea Tow member or
to inquire about becoming a Sea Tow franchise owner, please visit seatow.com.
Sea Tow also offers free boating safety information including the Sea Tow App
for smartphones, Sea Tow's Automated Radio Check
Service, and the nonprofit Sea Tow Foundation's Life Jacket Loaner Station
program. For more information, visit seatow.com and boatingsafety.com.
Serving Boaters Since 1983
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