As temperatures plummet, water safety precautions rise. The potentially life-threatening coldness of the water, combined with the scarcity of other boaters to lend a hand or call for assistance, makes off-season boating perilous.
A TV weather forecast or your phone’s default weather app isn’t enough for boaters, according to meteorologist Joseph Cioffi (https://www.meteorologistjoecioffi.com/).
“Apps and TV weather forecasts are woefully lacking in providing the specific information boaters need regarding wind direction, speed, gusts, water temperatures, along with various advisories and warnings. It is better to either use an app specifically related to marine weather conditions or consult the National Weather Service Marine Forecast page for more specific information regarding where you are boating.” https://w2.weather.gova=marine#
Be specific when you search for an updated forecast. “Conditions in the back bays can be quite different from those near shore and from those offshore,” cautions Cioffi. “Oftentimes weather offshore is quite different from that right along the coast, and wind direction and speed play key roles in daily water temperatures.
“Water temperatures warm and cool unevenly with the seasons. There is a four to six week lag between the peak summer land temperatures and the peak ocean water temperatures,” he explains. “And the reverse is true in the winter where water temperatures do not hit their lows until early March and begin rising, albeit slowly.”
“Once water temperatures drop below 70, there is a small risk of hypothermia in sensitive individuals,” Cioffi advises. “Once water temperatures start to fall below 65 or 60, then the risk of hypothermia increases rather sharply and it can set in very fast — in a matter of a few minutes.”
Coastal Water Temperature Guide https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/cwtg/ (Always err on the side of caution as tools such as this take readings from large areas. Protect yourself by considering a temperature reading of 70o F as cautiously as you would 65o F.)
A blow to the head, a broken limb, a shock to the system — these and many more things can cause you to lose clarity of thought and/or your ability to move. Within the first 10 minutes or so of being in cold water, arms and legs begin to lose sensation and strength, reducing both swimming and any capability to scramble out of the water to save yourself.
That’s why wearing a life jacket is vital, per Jeffrey S. Johnson, boating law administrator for the state of Alaska. “The
unexpected immersion into cold water can result in shock, uncontrollable gasping and hyperventilation, vertigo, and panic. Without a life jacket on, there is a serious risk of drowning.”
In some states, it’s mandatory to wear life jackets in cold weather month (beginning and end times vary). See requirements here: https://www.boatus.org/life-jacket-loaner/state-requirements/default.asp and http://www.americancanoe.org/?page=Cold_Weather_PFD_Law.
Whether there’s a state law or not, wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket that fits your intended activity and your body. Seek advice on the type of jacket that offers maximum protection for your chosen activity. See www.uscgboating.org/images/howtochoosetherightlifejacket_brochure.pdf and/or ask a knowledgeable marine retailer.
Unless you’re wearing an inflatable device, fit is crucial. Start with the manufacturer’s recommended height and weight range. Try it on, adjust correctly, fasten properly, and then hold your arms up over your head. Ask a shopping companion or salesperson to tug upwards gently from the tops of the arm openings — it’s not the proper fit if rises up over your chin or higher when pulled.
If you boat with your dog, it’s important that he or she wears a properly fitted jacket in a bright color with a handle. Important consideration: if your canine companion gets a short cut in the summer but shags out in colder months, you may need two life jackets.
All vessels should be equipped with a ladder, swim platform, foot sling, or a webbed strap — your likelihood of survival is better the faster you get out of the cold water.
Getting out of the water is vital, but so is locating all persons and calling for help. If you’re not the person who’s gone overboard, assess the situation and perform the most important functions first. Account for and locate all persons who’ve gone overboard, offer assistance, and call for help.
As there’s less boater traffic, help may take longer to arrive. Off-season boaters must know what to do to help someone who’s been immersed in cold water. Take a lifesaving class and use these resources:
http://www.ussartf.org/cold_water_survival.htm
http://www.seagrant.umn.edu/coastal_communities/hypothermia
Top photo courtesy of the Alaska Office of Boating Safety
