NEWS RELEASE

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Nov. 14, 2000

CONTACT: Capt. Jim Brown or Capt. Paul Ouellette: (850) 488-5600

FWC WARNS BOATERS AND HUNTERS ABOUT HYPOTHERMIA

As winter approaches, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is warning boaters and hunters about hypothermia, a contributor to drowning deaths in Florida during cooler months. October through March are months of highest incidence. Hypothermia results when the body loses heat faster than it is able to replace it. It can occur when boaters lose their balance and fall overboard or when boats accidentally sink.

According to Capt. Paul Ouellette, FWC boating safety co-coordinator, you can drown in less than an hour as a result of hypothermia.

When someone falls into cool or cold water, their core temperature (the temperature of their vital organs) begins to drop within 10-15 minutes. Cold water robs the body of heat 25-30 times faster than air. At 97 degrees core temperature, shivering starts. Shivering, a defense mechanism, delays hypothermia, but if heat loss is not reversed and core temperature continues to drop, the victim quickly develops clumsiness, loss of manual dexterity, slurred speech, and withdrawal until, at 92 degrees, shivering stops and muscles become rigid. If the temperature drops further, the victim soon loses consciousness and finally, at 78 degrees, death occurs.

>Some of these deaths are due to a false perception about the risk," Ouellette said. "Because Florida is known for its warm temperatures, many outdoor enthusiasts think hypothermia risks are minimal. The irony is that most hypothermia casualties occur in warmer climates. Water doesn't have to be icy to cause hypothermia. It just has to be colder than you are."

Sixty percent of Florida's 1999 boating accident fatalities were drowning victims. Some of them also were victims of hypothermia. Not only are recreational boaters and sport fishermen at risk, migratory bird hunters also are vulnerable, and drowning is the leading cause of death among hunters.

"As the winter weather pattern approaches," said Capt. Jim Brown, boating safety co-coordinator, "all boaters must remember to watch for weather changes that can affect their recreational experiences. An approaching cold front may bring rain, lightning and high winds. These winds usually change from a generally southern direction prior to the front's arrival, to a generally northern direction with increased velocity after its arrival. As the wind changes directions, it can cause confusing sea conditions and create hazards for most small boats. Even lakes or rivers that are usually calm can become dangerous places. High winds and rough sea conditions usually continue for several days after a cold front passes, even though skies become clear and inviting."

Brown urged boaters, hunters and anglers to be familiar with techniques that will help them survive hypothermia if they are thrown overboard:

If you find yourself in the water, don't panic. Flailing around will cause you to lose heat more quickly.

Don't remove clothing. Instead, button, buckle, zip and tighten collars, cuffs, shoes and hoods. A layer of water trapped inside your clothing will be warmed by body heat and will help insulate you. Heads, necks, sides of the chest and groins are the parts of the body that lose heat more quickly and need to be protected most.

Don't try to swim, unless it is to reach a nearby boat, another person or a floating object you can climb or lean onto. Swimming in cold water will release the warm layer of water between your clothing and your body and will pump warm blood to your extremities, where it will cool quickly and reduce survival time by as much as 50 percent.

If you're with other people, huddle together for warmth. Otherwise, hold your knees to your chest to protect your trunk from heat loss, and clasp your arms around your calves.

If you're using waders, remove them while in a boat. Waders fill with water quickly and can drag you to the bottom if you fall overboard. However, waders held upside down and filled with air can help keep you afloat.

Brown also recommends that you follow other responsible boating safety procedures and requirements.

Use personal floatation devices (PFDs), commonly referred to as life jackets. Write up a detailed float plan noting where you will be and when you expect to return, and include a description of your vessel. Leave it with a friend or relative on shore. Be prepared for unexpected developments by storing extra clothes, food and water. The FWC encourages attendance at a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA)-approved boating safety education course, taught by a knowledgeable instructor. For information on course availability, consult the FWC's http://FloridaFisheries.comramps/index.html#contents or call the BoatUS Foundation at: (800) 336-2628.