Know it’s cold Preparing for the risks of cold water on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers

Our water is cold Brrrrrr….. It’s cold in there

Snow fed rivers Creative Commons by Flickr user uyen.tran http://flickr.com/photos/dopeshit/339228636/sizes/l/

Our water is cold Less than 60 °F most of the year Less than 50 °F 4-6 months … make for cold rivers

Less than 60 °F most of the year

Less than 50 °F 4-6 months

Our water is cold Whoops … and there are so many ways to go in

Our water is cold Your vessel can sink

Our water is cold Your vessel can capsize

Our water is cold Your can fall overboard

Our water is cold Your can be ejected at speed

Our water is cold Or you can simply misstep

Our water is cold Once you are in … things can go downhill very quickly

Gasp reflex Cold water causes a gasp on contact which often results in inhalation of water

A little bit of inhaled water will set you to coughing which usually leads to more inhaled water…

… and you can drown with only 5 ounces of water in your lungs

Cold shock In seconds to minutes you will begin to experience shock with very rapid breathing while your heart rate and blood pressure will increase.

Cold shock These factors reduce your physical and mental abilities making it very difficult to rescue yourself

Swim failure After as little as 3 minutes there is a loss of coordination in your limbs and you loose the ability to hold your breath

Swim failure You will be unable to maintain a body position that allows swimming

Hypothermia

25X 1X Water is 25 times more effective than air at thermal transfer so your body cools very rapidly

Hypothermia At some point your body is no longer able to regulate your core temperature which, untreated will result in death

Post rescue collapse Even after rescue the effects of hypothermia can cause death, seek medical attention after any prolonged cold water exposure

Our water is cold Prevention What to do to protect yourself

Know the risks Understand the effects of cold water and how you may end up in it

Boat smart Take a class Choose an appropriate vessel for the conditions Operate safely Know your waterways Be able to communicate (VHF, PEPIRB) Know the weather Stay aware Don’t boat alone … and

Take a class

Choose an appropriate vessel for the conditions

Operate safely

Know your waterways

Be able to communicate (VHF, PEPIRB)

Know the weather

Stay aware

Don’t boat alone

… and

Life Jacket ALWAYS wear your

Prepare for the cold

Our water is cold Dry suit What is he wearing?

Our water is cold Because we have learned the hard way that hypothermia protection save lives Why?

Our water is cold When: Coast Guard requirements for USCG boat operations Rescue and Survival Systems Manual COMDTINST M10470.10E

Our water is cold Water temperature under 60 °F Water & air temperature under 50 °F Anti-exposure coverall Dry suit

Be prepared