Hypothermia- how long will you live in cold water?

[Hanr3]

TheChilling Truth About Cold Water


Survival Times in Cold Water Without Protective Clothing

Water Temperature		Loss of Dexterity	Exhaustion or	Expected Time of
Degrees C	Degrees F	with no protective clothing	Unconsciousness	Survival
0.3	32.5	Under 2 min.	Under 15 min.	Under 15 to 45 min.
0.3 to 4.5	32.5 - 40	Under 3 min.	15 to 30 min.	30 to 90 min.
4.5 to 10	40 - 50	Under 5 min.	30 to 60 min.	1 to 3 hrs.
10 to 15.5	50 - 60	10 to 15 min.	1 to 2 hrs.	1 to 6 hrs.
15.5 to 21	60 - 70	30 to 40 min.	2 to 7 hrs.	2 to 40 hrs.
21 to 26.5	70 - 80	1 to 2 hrs.	2 to 12 hrs.	3 hrs. to indefinite
Over 26.5	Over 80	2 to 12 hrs.	Indefinite	Indefinite

[Hanr3]

If the exhaustion doesn't kill you first, the hypothermia will.

Did you know that most cases of hypothermia occur in the fall and spring when air temps are 50-70 degrees?
Most poeple dress for cold weather and underestimate the effects of mild weather, thus underdress in mild weather. Add in water or wind, and wind and water and things quickly turn nasty fast.

Be safe, we want you to post another day.

Got any near misses, post up so the rest of us can learn from your experience.

[Shellback]

I think many studies have shown it's not necessarily the amount of time spent in the water, but the initial shock when you go in that kills. The bodies natural response to the shock of cold water is to inhale. Once you suck that water into your lungs, it's pretty much curtains for you with no life jacket. I know NY, and now PA have laws that folks of any age on boats 16 feet or less, must where life jackets at all times between Nov and April I believe. With the life jacket on, you now have a chance to survive.

[bkabina]

I know NY, and now PA have laws that folks of any age on boats 16 feet or less, must where life jackets at all times between Nov and April I believe. With the life jacket on, you now have a chance to survive.

Correct. From the first day of Nov. to the last day of Apr.

[MeanV2]

Good Law!!

Dan

I think many studies have shown it's not necessarily the amount of time spent in the water, but the initial shock when you go in that kills. The bodies natural response to the shock of cold water is to inhale. Once you suck that water into your lungs, it's pretty much curtains for you with no life jacket. I know NY, and now PA have laws that folks of any age on boats 16 feet or less, must where life jackets at all times between Nov and April I believe. With the life jacket on, you now have a chance to survive.

[short grub]

II don't like this law, first it's someone telling me what I have to do or what they think is good for me. I understand the dangers that come with boating in the cold months of the year, the people that push for these kinds of laws are either insurance companies or groups that think they are put on this earth to take care of and look out for our saftey.

I understand the we need some rules to keep people safe but some laws are just going to far as to safe gaurd me from myself.

just my thoughts

thank you

[Shellback]

II don't like this law, first it's someone telling me what I have to do or what they think is good for me. I understand the dangers that come with boating in the cold months of the year, the people that push for these kinds of laws are either insurance companies or groups that think they are put on this earth to take care of and look out for our saftey.

I understand the we need some rules to keep people safe but some laws are just going to far as to safe gaurd me from myself.

just my thoughts

thank you

Well the laws probably also protect those who may have to take chances rescuing someone. It's nice to think that you are responsible for yourself, but I'm sure there's a lot of first responders that had to rescue those who thought they could take care of themselves during the past hurricane. With seatbelts being mandatory for many years now, I still see deaths in car accidents due to the folks being thrown from the car or becoming part of the windshield.

[bobothewizard]

I know NY, and now PA have laws that folks of any age on boats 16 feet or less, must where life jackets at all times between Nov and April I believe. With the life jacket on, you now have a chance to survive.

Its actually folks of any age on boats less than 16 feet.

Quite a difference when you own a 16 foot boat

Edit: I wanted to make sure I had my facts straight so I went on the fish commision website and grabbed the new law, or a piece of it anyway.

"MANDATORY COLD WEATHER LIFE JACKET WEA
• Beginning November 1, 2012, boaters must wear a life jacket on

boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak during the

cold weather months from November 1 through April 30. Recreational

boating fatalities that occur in Pennsylvania from November through

April are primarily due to the effects of cold water immersion. When

water temperatures are less than 70 degrees F, cold water shock is a

major factor in boating fatalities. Victims who wear a life jacket when

exposed to cold water have potentially life-saving advantages such as
"

[Eagle 1]

FIRST. I WOULD WEAR A VEST OF SOME TYPE IN COLD WEATHER REGUARDLESS OF BOAT SIZE . SECOND . I AGREE WITH SHORT GRUB . THE STATES/ FED GOVERMENT ALLOW TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO BE SOLD KNOWING THE HARMFUL EFFECTS ! HOW IS IT DIFFERENT ?

[Shellback]

Think about the law this way. So you are out winter fishing and decide you don't need to wear a life jacket. Something happens, and you fall out of the boat, swallow some water, and down you go. A little later someone sees your boat circling with no one in it, or your family calls and says you haven't returned from your fishing trip. Ya think authorities or your family are going to say oh well, he's gone and go on with their lives? That ain't gonna happen. Rescue people will be out, divers will be searching for your body, all risking their lives. Heck, you're dead, no big deal for you, but it's a big deal for those who have to recover you body and bury you. Same deal with seat belts. Ya think first responders like picking up broken bodies because someone thought the law for seat belts was an intrusion on their liberties?