Cold Water Immersion Event Is a Most Boating Fatalities in Alaska in Alaska, Capsizing, Swamping, Fight for Survival
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A cold water immersion event is a Most boating fatalities in Alaska In Alaska, capsizing, swamping, fight for survival. result from drowning in cold and falling overboard are the water. leading causes of cold water If wearing a life jacket, the 1-10-1 principle may save your life: Cold water immersion can kill in several ways. immersion. Without a life jacket, most die LONG BEFORE they become hypothermic. Capsizing and swamping are often caused by: Minute - Get breathing under 1. COLD SHOCK RESPONSE • Overloading or poorly secured or control Within three minutes of immersion: shifting loads 1 • Gasping, hyperventilation and panic • Improper boat handling • If not wearing a life jacket, a higher risk • Loss of power or ability to steer of drowning • Anchoring from the stern Minutes (or more) - 2. COLD INCAPACITATION • Wrapping a line around a drive unit Within 30 minutes of immersion: • Taking a wave over the transom after a Be prepared! For meaningful activity • Always wear a life jacket when in an 10 • Assess the situation • Cooling of arms and legs impairs sudden stop open boat or on an open deck. Trying sensation and function regardless of and make a plan. Falling overboard is often due to slipping, loss to put your life jacket on in the water is swimming ability • Prioritize, and perform of balance when standing, moving around the extremely difficult (if not impossible) and • If not wearing a life jacket, a higher risk the most important boat, or reaching for objects in the water. costs precious time and energy. of drowning functions first such as: Another cause of cold water drowning in • Every Alaskan boater should carry (ON 3. IMMERSION HYPOTHERMIA THEIR PERSON): ◦ Locate other party Alaska is leaving a place of safety to swim for members After at least 30 minutes of immersion: a drifting boat. ◦ a communication device (i.e. hand- • Gradual cooling of the body’s core held water proof marine VHF radio, ◦ Self-rescue temperature eventually results in loss of cell phone in a waterproof case) ◦ Emergency useful consciousness communication and ◦ emergency signaling devices (i.e. • If wearing a life jacket, survival time may signaling emergency locator beacon, whistle, be extended mirror, small flares) Wearing your life jacket could be Hour (or more) - Of useful the single most important factor in Personal Locator consciousness Beacon 1Focus on slowing heat loss. surviving cold water immersion. Waterproof VHF Marine Radio with GPS For more information: Alaska Office of Boating Safety 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1380 Anchorage, AK 99501 907-269-8706 ALASKA’s LIFE JACKET SELECTION Practice Safe Boating www.alaskaboatingsafety.org All life jackets provide life-saving • Prevent capsizing - Reduce speed in supplemental flotation in the water, rough water, load carefully, secure loads COLD WATER from shifting, and adjust for changing but no one style is perfectly suited conditions. Wait for poor weather to for all persons in all situations. improve. Read the life jacket label. Make sure • Prevent falls overboard - Remain it is U.S. Coast Guard approved, the seated while underway, wear non-skid proper size for the intended user, foot wear, and avoid reaching overboard for objects. Kills! and appropriate for the activity. • Equip the boat - Boats should be See the life jacket selector at equipped or designed with a reboarding PledgeToLive.org for more device. information. • File a floatplan - Leave it with a friend or relative. Include a description of your boat and equipment, names of passengers, planned destination and route, expected return and when and who to call if overdue. Take the pledge at www.PledgeToLive.org. • Brief passengers - Everyone should know where all safety equipment is (and how to use it), and how to start, stop, and This brochure has been reviewed by the steer the boat. National Association of State Boating Law Administrators Education & Outreach Com- mittee to ensure that the content herein adheres to the highest standards in quality boating safety information..