|
Hypothermia:
a serious life-threatening condition. It happens when the body's
core internal temperature drops below the point where normal body functions
occur. It is different than frostbite or freezing to death. Hypothermia is
one of the greatest dangers when you go out on the water. It is usually
thought of a cold-weather or cold-water condition; but it can occur at
temperatures well above freezing, even in waters as
warm as 80°. Whenever you go boating or swimming, you need to
understand and look for the signs of hypothermia.
Early signs of Hypothermia:
Hypothermia happens when the body loses heat faster than
it can replenish it. One of the first signs that your body is losing heat
is shivering and "goosebumps". As your body temperature falls, the
shivering slows, then stops. This is your body starting to shut down. It
takes too much energy, and expends too much heat, to shiver. The flow of
blood to your arms and legs slows, then stops. As you go into the deeper
stages of hypothermia, your speech becomes slurred, then incoherent.
Eventually, you become lethargic and your motions are uncoordinated. Your
breathing slows, becomes shallow and erratic. You lose consciousness, then
die.
How to protect yourself from
Hypothermia:
- Avoid situations
that promote the loss of body heat. Keep dry and stay out of the wind.
If you fall overboard, get out of the water as quickly as possible.
- Wear the proper clothing.
Different materials offer different levels of insulation. For example,
synthetic fibers offer excellent insulation from the wind, they do not
protect the wearer for long when they are wet. On the other hand, wool
insulates the wearer better from the effects of hypothermia while both dry
and wet.
- Increase your energy reserve.
Have a good meal prior to going out on the water. This way, your body
will have something to draw on in case of an emergency.
- Avoid drinking alcohol prior to
going out on the water. Besides the fact that mixing boats and booze is
dangerous, illegal and downright dumb, there is a increased risk of
hypothermia. Alcohol causes the blood vessels to dilate, which increases
the amount of heat that is lost. This increases the effects of
hypothermia if you get into an emergency situation.
What to do in an emergency:
- Get out of the water as soon as
possible.
- If you can't get to shore or
back on your vessel, DON'T SWIM! You'll lose more heat by swimming, than
you will by treading water. In 70° water, a person can survive for 18
hours floating with a PFD, 13 hours treading water and only 10 hours
swimming. In 55° water, the survival figures drop to 3 1/2 hours floating
with a PFD, 3 hours treading water and only 2 hours swimming. In 35°
water, they drop to 1 3/4 hours floating with a PFD, 1 1/4 hours treading
water and only 3/4 hour swimming.
- Keep your clothes on. They'll
provide insulation from heat loss.
- If you are wearing a life
jacket, draw your knees up and make your body as compact as possible.
This is called the HELP position. If there are two or more people in the
water, huddle together to conserve warmth.If you are wearing a Type III
life jacket, do not use the HELP position. You may turn face down.
Instead keep your legs tightly together and keep your arms tight to your
side. Lean your head back to keep your face out of the water.
- Keep your head out of the
water. This is where you lose the majority of your body's heat.
- Get medical attention as soon
as possible!
|
