The best-case scenario for Cold Water Immersion is to “reduce or prevent the risk”. If you’re boating early in the season or later in the season when the water is still cold, it’s as simple as making sure not to overload your boat, avoiding situations where you may fall overboard and, of course, making sure that everyone is wearing a Coast Guard approved lifejacket to protect in the case of an unforeseeable emergency.

By doing a little preparation and learning the truth about hypothermia, you can increase your chances of surviving an unexpected immersion into very cold water. Here are some tips:

1. Check the (marine) weather forecast before heading out – Unexpected squalls can wreak havoc on small open boats. If the weather looks iffy, stay on shore.
2. Dress for the water temperature instead of the air. Layer your clothing so that you can adjust to whatever conditions exist.
3. If you fall in, DON’T PANIC! It takes at least 30 minutes, even in ice water, to become mildly hypothermic. The initial cold shock will pass in about a minute, according to cold water expert, Gordon Giesbrecht –from the University of Manitoba.
4. WEAR a lifejacket or PFD – After about 10 minutes in really cold water, your arms and legs won’t work so well. Your lifejacket or PFD will keep you afloat and your airway clear.
5. Don’t overload your boat – Overloaded boats ride lower in the water making it easier for the boat to swamp and capsize.

Keep these tips top of mind and you’ll be sure to make your trip a round trip.

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Courtesy of: the Canadian Safe Boating Council