Boating season is almost here! You may already see boats out on the water. Some people just can’t wait, and enjoy the exhilaration of chilly day on their boat. One of the most dangerous aspects of boating, particularly for sportsmen who thrive on a cold weather adventure, is the risk of hypothermia.
Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it produces heat. It is caused by exposure to water or air, and the body's core temperature drops below 95°F (or 350 Celsius).
Any environment that exposes you to cold conditions for a prolonged amount of time can put you at risk of hypothermia.
Boaters are especially at risk since hypothermia can creep up on you if you're boating or fishing in cold weather. If you experience a sudden wake or the vessel is unbalanced somehow, you could fall into icy waters and frigid temperatures.
Boaters can become hypothermic by: Getting immersed in cold water, getting exposed to cold air and wind while wearing damp or wet clothing, and having prolonged exposure to cold water or air temperatures.
Be especially careful with kids, during cold water boating! Children and people with a lower body mass will experience hypothermia faster than adults or their heavier counterparts.
Hypothermia is progressive, meaning the body passes through several stages before lapsing into an unconscious state. There are various phases of hypothermia:
Mild Hypothermia (Body Temp = 98-90°F) - The person feels cold, violently shivers, slurs their speech, lacks coordination, loses memory, appears pale, and has cold skin.
Moderate Hypothermia (Body Temp = 90-86°F) - The person loses muscle control, stops shivering, and appears drowsy, incoherent, confused, and exhausted.
Severe Hypothermia (Body Temp = 86-78°F) - The person collapses, is unconscious, and shows signs of respiratory distress and/or cardiac arrest. They experience severe muscle stiffness and have ice-cold skin.
To avoid getting hypothermia, start by dressing for the water, not for the weather – Meaning the air temperatures may by 70 degrees, but the water is 40 degrees. Protect yourself from possible immersion, no matter how warm it feels outside.Wear ample layers while boating in cold waters or conditions to lower your risk of hypothermia. Also, wear a hat and gloves to keep your head and hands warm. Just say no to cotton – It is one of the worst things you can wear when it’s cold and damp because cotton absorbs water and reduces body temperature much more quickly than other materials. Instead, wear water-resistant fabrics and layers that wick away moisture, and a waterproof outer layer.
Before boating in the cold, eat a healthy meal, this will sustain your energy. Additionally, watch the weather and water conditions throughout your journey.
As we always stress, Wear a personal Flotation Device (PFD) in the water, it is crucial for survival. Read about the NJSP Mandatory Cold Weather PFD Initiative: https://www.boatsafeus.com/post/mandatory-cold-weather-pfd-wear. Not only do life jackets help you stay afloat with minimal effort, but they will allow you to assume the Heat Escape-Lessening Position (H.E.L.P.) - Also known as the fetal position. This position keeps your armpits, chest, groin, and knees warm.
When you are experiencing hypothermia in water or air, conserve your heat. Limit your body movement and only swim if you can easily reach a boat or floating object nearby. Swimming lowers your body temperature, so even incredibly skilled swimmers can drown in cold water. If you are in the water with others, huddle together to keep warm. If you can partially pull yourself out of the water, make sure to do so. The more your body is out of the water, the less heat you lose. And since 50% of our body heat exits through our heads, aim to keep yours out of the water.
If you or another passenger experiences hypothermia while boating, it is important for all cases of hypothermia to receive prompt medical attention, as it can result in heart and respiratory failure.
Until then, treating hypothermia involves gradually returning the body temperature to normal.
DO:*Take steps to warm up gradually Remove wet garments and keep arms and legs out of the water. Share a sleeping bag or blanket and/or put warm, damp cloths on your neck, chest, and groin.*Drink warm broth or decaffeinated tea.*For mild or medium hypothermia, take a warm bath and progressively, yet gradually, heat it more and more
AVOID:* Rapidly warming or massaging your arms and legs. Massages cause the circulatory system to bring cold blood from the surface to the body's core, which can lead to a drop in temperature. * Coffee and alcohol, as they can lower body heat.
*Using heat sources that can burn the person
Again, in cases of moderate or severe hypothermia should seek medical attention immediately.
Learn from Captain Bob how to How to Avoid, Fight and Treat HypothermiaLearn from the best, BoatSafe US. https://youtu.be/nFVLzW_8KnE
Take a Boat Safety Course: Children can take the course at 12 years old. In New Jersey, there are two minimum ages, 13 years old for vessels powered by electric trolling motors, or vessels 12' or longer with less than 10 total HP. Operators of all other power vessels, including personal watercraft, must be at least sixteen years old, this includes out-of-state residents.
For more information and for Boating Safety classes that are NJ State Police approved and NASBLA certified, go to www.BoatSafeUS.com. Our instructors will provide you with a fun-filled and educational look at Boat Safety in New Jersey. All of our instructors at Boat Safe US, LLC are certified and approved to instruct by the NJ State Police Marine Division and our course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).
Visit us at www.BoatSafeUS.com to reserve your spot today!
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