Cold Water Safety

[Caboose]

http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/cold_water/?11198

[Craig Weis]

Rule of 50.

50 degree water.
50 years old.
50 minutes till hypothermia.

Adjust up or down as these three variable change.

Of course when you fall into really cold water the first reaction is to gasp a huge amount of air into your lungs...it's a uncontrolled reflex reaction as your head and ears go under. Most guys found dead in the water, says the Coast Guard, that have fallen from a boat have their fly open.

"10-20 minutes of "meaningful movement" before your muscles and nerves start shutting down." Like that flight attendant who fell from the harness of a rescue helicopter back into the icy water when that aeroliner plunged into the Washington D.C. river by the bridge and some person on shore dove in after her.

skip.

[NateD]

While you might be able to survive for 50 minutes, you will only have 10-20 minutes of "meaningful movement" before your muscles and nerves start shutting down. If you aren't able to get back in the boat or call for help in the first 20, you'll be relying on luck the kindness (perceptiveness?) of strangers to come to the rescue.

[Salty19]

Yep, the key thing in the article to remember is not when you'll become truly hyperthermic.  At that point it's too late to do much assuming you don't have help nearby.  It's the minutes BEFORE this that counts.  That is when you'll have your physical strength and mental wits to do something about the problem.   Lesson here is to first avoid cold water if possible; if you fall in...get out of the water as soon as possible and without panic.  Also by not panicing and instead reasonably think through your survival and exit strategy you'll have a better chance for making it out quickly and safely.  If you waste time and energy on a bad exit plan, you may not have enough time/energy/wits  to think it through correctly.

So 50 degrees, 50 years old and 50 minutes is way too late unless you have help-and lot's of it.  You're already incapacitated and will probably die without serious help. For a 50 year old and 50 degree water, you have roughly 10 minutes to get onboard and begin the warming process before you're more or less helpless to help yourself.  I am speaking about being on boat that is difficult to use the ladder, such as our full transon sailboats (save the Eclipse) , where a good amount of strength is needed to pull yourself up.   

Skip is right about the gag reflex thing.  That is the one most important  thing to rememeber when you're destined for the drink (in mid-fall).  Keep the gag reflex at bay to avoid injestion of water.  Cover your mouth and/or hold your breath until you surface. Easier said than done.

Reminds me, I need to make a harness and tether here real soon. Especially when going forward single handed in cold water.

[kickingbug1]

   harness and tether money well spent

[Salty19]

kicknbug-

Well I got the webbing I need (on sale for $.20 per foot) and will be finding a discounted carabiner and quick release soon.
Should be able to make a harness and strap for less than $20. 

To be honest I normally would not worry about it but as it happens my lake is the coldest/deepest in the area.  74 degree water temp this past weekend.  In May and October it's about 55 where I plan to do a lot of sailing.