A tricky spotMy last post addressed cold shock as the first effect of cold water immersion leading to possible death. Having survived cold shock, the swimmer is not out of the woods yet. Combined with cold shock, swimming failure accounts for more than 50% of immersion deaths.
Death can come between 3 and 30 minutes to those who try to swim. It is caused by the rapid cooling of muscles and nerves, compounding the effects of respiratory and cardiovascular responses from cold shock.
The causes of swimming failure don't just apply to persons attempting to reach shore but also those trying to get back in their kayaks if having wet exited. The cooling of muscles and nerves will manifest itself by compromising physical tasks needed to be performed to get back in the kayak like holding onto the kayak, deploying the paddle float and climbing onto the back deck. Fingers become numb, grip strength is reduced and cramp can disable limbs.
If you paddle solo (not recommended) and can't get back in your boat quickly, you're in trouble. The ability to do so must be practiced in realistic conditions, i.e. in cold water with help close at hand just in case.
The key defense against swimming failure is paddle with a group and keep the group close together. A dispersed group could mean many minutes getting to the swimmer. Know how to get yourself back in your boat because even in a small group, everyone could end up getting dunked.
Know the risks and prepare- physically and mentally.
Its scary $hit, for sure. Water temps here are an issue in the summer, let alone January! As the condom manufacturer says "be safe, be satisfied"
ReplyDeleteExcellent Brian excellent, and better still, remember to bring them with you! It is ok to know how to use it but if you don't bring them with you, not much good at home!
ReplyDeleteStan