Big risk factor for boaters Will make it difficult to swim or even stay afloat

Cold Water

Big risk factor for boaters Will make it difficult to swim or even stay afloat

Visual Distress Signals

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An easy way to remember the effects cold water has on your body

1 – The Cold Shock

CCG approved Good and serviceable condition Right number and type Readily accessible

You will have a few large gasps as your body is instantly shocked by the water temperature Gasps will be followed by severe hyperventilation It will pass in about 1 minute

You will have a few large gasps as your body is instantly shocked by the water temperature Gasps will be followed by severe hyperventilation It will pass in about 1 minute

Alert Locate All must be:

Type A - Parachute flare Type B - Multi-star flare Type C - Hand-held flare Type D: Smoke flare

Over the next 10 minutes you will become incapacitated Blood moves to keep your core, your heart and other organs warm Your legs and arms will stop working properly During these 10 minutes that you have to take the opportunity to rescue yourself

10 – Cold Incapacitation

1 – Hypothermia

If you keep your head above water with a lifejacket you can expect to be hypothermic, but alive It will take about an hour before you become unconscious from hypothermia At least another hour before your heart could stop

Type A - Parachute flare: easily seen from water, land and air. Must emit a red light.

Water doesn’t need to be cold, only have a big temperature difference between the water and air temperature to produce a cold shock gasp The key to surviving an accidental fall into cold water is to be wearing your lifejacket Your lifejacket will help keep your head above water & will keep you afloat

The Key to Surviving – A Lifejacket / PFD

Type B - Multi-star flare: easily seen from water, land and air. Must emit a red light.

Type B - Multi-star flare: easily seen from water, land and air. Must emit a red light.

COLDWATER