Do you know what to do in cold water?

(NC) Getting out onto the water is a favourite pastime for many of us, but it can also be a risky one. Canada’s waters are often colder than many of us think, and for more of the year than many of us expect.

How cold is cold?
Anything below 15 C is considered dangerously cold. That’s significantly lower than your body temperature, and prolonged exposure can be life-threatening. When your body loses heat faster than it can produce it, that’s hypothermia—even a small drop in body temperature to 35 C can keep your body from working correctly.

Staying afloat is essential
Wearing your lifejacket or Personal Floatation Device (PFD) could save your life. As your body temperature lowers and your nervous system and muscles lose function, it gets harder and harder to swim or tread water. Keeping your head above the surface is especially important because that’s the part of your body that loses heat the fastest.

1-10-1: the three numbers to know
If the worst does happen and you end up in cold water, it’s vital to know what to do. Transport Canada’s Boating Office recommends using “1-10-1” as a way to remember:

• 1 minute — cold shock.
  This is an involuntary reaction that starts with a sharp, deep gasp of breath. Keeping your airway out of the water is critical since you won’t be able to control the gasp and you don’t want to breathe in any water. For about the next minute, your breathing will be fast and shallow. Focus on staying calm and try to slow your breathing.

• 10 minutes — movement.
  You’ll have around 10 minutes of meaningful movement in the water before you slowly start losing your ability to move. Once your breathing is back under control, use this time for self-rescue. Swim only if you can reach others, the shore or an object you can hold onto.

  If the boat is nearby, try to get back into it. If that’s not possible, try to hold on to the part of the boat that is as far out of the water as possible. This will help you conserve body heat, and can make spotting you easier for rescuers.

• 1 hour — hypothermia.
  It takes about an hour before the signs of hypothermia start. If you can’t self-rescue in the first 10 minutes, delaying hypothermia becomes your top priority. If you’re with others, huddle together to share warmth. If you’re alone, hug your legs up to your chest to conserve as much heat as you can. The more you delay hypothermia, the longer you have to call for help and the better your chances for survival.

Survival on the water often comes down to being prepared—wearing your lifejacket or PFD, and knowing what to do in an emergency. You can learn more about safe boating at canada.ca/boatingsafety.