Cold Water Hypothermia And Safety

Chris Petrie

C/O Saint John's School of Alberta

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a decrease in the core body temperature to a level at which normal muscular and cerebral functions are impaired.

The core is defined as the internal body organs, particularly the

heart, lungs and brain. The periphery is defined as the appendages, skin and muscle tissue. In particular, the head and neck account for approximately 50% of our heat loss.

Causes

Wet – water robs heat from your body approximately 25 – 32 times faster than air.

Wind – convection forces the body to continually warm the thin layer of air next to the skin. Moving water has a magnified impact as the body losses significant heat trying to warm the layer of water next to the skin.

Cold – cold water is insidious. However, with proper training and by staying calm, there is significant time to affect rescues.  In cold water, swimming increases the rate of heat loss.

Mechanisms of Heat Loss

Radiation  -  Evaporation  -  Convection  -  Conduction

Predicted Cold Water Survival Times.

Prevention

• Caution
• Be aware of hazards
• Planning
• Proper clothing & equipment
• Avoid dehydration & exhaustion
• Proper nutrition
• Monitor (buddy system)

Signs and Symptoms

Treatment

Accident Response

The goal is to reduce heat loss.

• PFD – properly fitting
• Proper clothing

H. E. L. P (Heat Escape Lessoning Position)

Huddle

• Minimize contact with water (float on pack, get body up on overturned canoe, get out of water quickly, etc.)

SJSA Rescue Procedures

In all situations, paddlers should endeavor to hold onto their paddles.

Lake

Dumped Canoe

1. Standby
2. Move away from the canoe
3. Huddle
4. Count-off (to ensure everyone present. React quickly if someone missing)
5. Wait for directions from rescuing steersman.

Rescue Canoes

1. Standby
2. Kneel (if possible)
3. Cautiously approach dumped canoe. First steersman on scene directs rescue. First priority is people, second is gear.
4. Communicate with steersman in water.
5. Depending on situation and in order of preference:

Monitor Self-Rescue – Tow to Shore – Take Personnel into Boat(s)

River

Dumped Canoe

1. Standby
2. Get upstream of canoe
3. River float – lie on your back with feet held high and pointed downstream. do not attempt to stand in fast moving water; if your foot wedges on the bottom, fast water will push you under and keep you there. get to slow or very shallow water before attempting to stand or walk. look ahead! avoid possible pinning situations including undercut rocks, strainers, downed trees, holes, and other dangers by swimming away from them.
4. Count-off
5. Ride the rapid out, self-rescue and / or assisted rescue

Rescuing Canoes

Rescuing a dumped canoe in moving water becomes potentially dangerous for the rescuing canoes if extreme caution is not used. While we have specific policies to reduce the chance of dumping in long or unknown rapids, accidents may happen. The goal is not to compound the situation by  adding another canoe of paddlers to the water.

In general, when rescuing canoes are on the water, rescue will be affected at the end of the rapid. Each situation will require prompt, appropriate action.