In water, the human body cools 32 times faster than in air.   In fact, water cooler than 70 degrees Fahrenheit seems cold to the touch.   When you are immersed in cold water for even a surprisingly short time, it can hurt or worse, kill you.   If you should fall into cold water, all efforts should be given to getting out of the water by the fastest means possible.

The first dangers you face when immersed in cold water are panic and shock.  The initial shock can place severe strain on the body, producing instant cardiac arrest.   Your breath may be driven from you on first impact with the water.   Should your face be in the water during that first involuntary gasp for breath, it may well be water rather than air.   Total disorientation may occur after cold water immersion.   Persons have reported thrashing helplessly in the water for thirty seconds or more until they were able to get their bearings.

Immersion in cold water can quickly numb the extremities to the point of uselessness.   Cold hands cannot fasten the straps of a lifejacket, grasp a thrown rescue line, or hold onto an over-turned boat.   Within minutes, severe pain clouds rational thought.   And, lastly, hypothermia sets in, and without rescue and proper first aid treatment, unconsciousness and death.

If you like to fish during the fall, winter and spring months, there is always the risk of an accidental dip in cold water.   The only sure way to beat the odds is to wear a survival suit.   For more information on survival suits, personal flotation devices (PFDs) and other emergency equipment, see the Safety & Survival section on the Marine Gear page.