Boating & Paddling In Cold Water

With spring just around the corner, many of us will be eager to get out on the water. In this article, we'll look at two factors that everyone should be aware of when paddling in cold water, “Cold Shock” and “Hypothermia”.  

Cold Shock:
Cold water can rapidly incapacitate and even kill a paddler in a very short time. Cold water removes heat from the body 25 times faster than cold air does. Any physical activity like swimming or struggling only increases the heat loss. Survival can be reduced to minutes. Cold shock happens when you are suddenly immersed in cold water. The most common shock response is not being able to control breathing. There is a gasp reflex that happens as soon as your skin is in contact with the water, and if your head is underwater you will immediately drown. This can only be prevented if you wear your life jacket at all times during the off-season cold weather. There is no second chance.

Following the huge gasps comes hyperventilation (rapid breathing). This causes diminished blood flow to the brain resulting in confusion, dizziness and possible loss of consciousness. Prolonged hyperventilation can cause a tingling in the hands and feet, which progressively develops into severe cramping of the extremities.

Then there is the risk of heart attack. Exposure of the head and chest to cold water causes sudden increases in heart rate and blood pressure that may result in cardiac arrest. Or, the pain, claustrophobia and general disorientation caused by the other shock responses increase the likelihood of panic, which dramatically raises heart rate and blood pressure to 2-3 times normal, and can trigger a heart attack.

Hypothermia:
Hypothermia is described as a decrease in the body’s core temperature to a level at which normal muscular and cerebral functions are impaired.
There are two types of hypothermia:

• Sudden Onset – Which is a rapid chilling from cold water exposure.

• Long Onset – Which develops more slowly than the immediate effects of Cold Shock. It can happen even if you don’t capsize or get wet. Wind, wetness from rain and sea spray or even perspiration can lead to hypothermia.

To preserve core heat, the body will slow the circulation of blood to its extremities, so they get cold first. As the core temperature drops below 97° shivering usually starts and you might feel your hands and feet are cold, even though they are properly covered.

Even at this early stage, hypothermia is very dangerous. The loss of dexterity can make it impossible to open a hatch for extra clothing, or you might be unable to use a paddle float to do a self rescue. Other signs and symptoms include: stumbles, mumbles, fumbles and grumbles which show changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness.  At any stage of hypothermia, the person should be warmed slowly.  With anything other than mild hypothermia, there is a danger in warming a person from the outside.  When the body’s surface gets warm, circulation will increase, causing greater cooling of the core and more severe hypothermia.  Warm the core slowly by applying dry heat to the large surface circulatory areas including head, neck, chest and groin but try not to warm the extremities.

Treatment of Hypothermia

• Mild hypothermia 98.6° – 96° (victim shivering but coherent). Prevent further heat loss and move victim to place of warmth. Remove wet clothes, give warm, sweet drinks; no alcohol or caffeine. Keep victim warm for several hours.

• Moderate hypothermia 95° –93°(shivering may decrease or stop). Victim may seem irrational with deteriorating coordination. Apply gentle heat to stabilize temperature and only offer drinks after victim is fully conscious.. Victim should be kept lying down with torso, thighs, head and neck covered with dry clothes, coats or blankets to stop further heat loss. Seek medical attention immediately.

• Severe hypothermia 92° –86° (shivering may have stopped. Victim may resist help or be semiconscious or unconscious). Handle the victim gently. Avoid jarring them, and ignore any pleas to be left alone. Keep the victim on their back and immobile. Cover torso, thighs, head and neck with dry covers to stop further heat loss. Arms and legs must not be stimulated in any manner. Cold blood in extremities, that suddenly returns to the core, may induce cardiac arrest. Seek medical attention immediately.

• Critical hypothermia 82° - Though the victim may appear dead, with little or no breathing or pulse, assume the patient is revivable. Look for faint pulse or breathing for 2 minutes. If any trace is found, do not give CPR. It can cause cardiac arrest. Medical help is imperative. If pulse and breathing are totally absent, CPR should be started by trained medical personnel.

Weathering the Weather:
Keeping dry while paddling is what will keep you warm. You should feel cool on the shore, but will warm up once you start paddling. You want to dress light. Your first layer of clothing, your insulation, should move the moisture away from your skin into the outer layers. Fleece-lined "wetsuit grade" polartec clothing is a comfortable choice for insulation. The outer shell of clothing is used to keep you and your insulation dry. You can adjust your temperature by adjusting your headgear and gloves. It is a good idea to carry a waterproof bag with an extra change of clothing. Be sure to wear your life jacket. You may want to attach a whistle or horn to it. Don’t forget the first aid kit. Tell someone where you are going and when you will return. Also, don’t forget to check the days’ weather forecast before you leave.

Spring is here, but temperatures of many rivers and streams remain cold. If you are going to be doing any cold weather paddling take precautions and BE SAFE OUT THERE!