Preparing for the risks of cold water on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers

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

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

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

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

6. Our water is cold Your vessel can sink

7. Our water is cold Your vessel can capsize

8. Our water is cold Your can fall overboard

9. Our water is cold Your can be ejected at speed

10. Our water is cold Or you can simply misstep

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

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

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

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

15. 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.

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

17. 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

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

19. Hypothermia

20. 25X 1X Water is 25 times more effective than air at thermal transfer so your body cools very rapidly

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

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

23. Our water is cold Prevention What to do to protect yourself

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

26. Life Jacket ALWAYS wear your

27. Prepare for the cold

28. Our water is cold Dry suit What is he wearing?

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

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

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

33. Be prepared