PWC Operations in Cold Water
Cold Water Immersion . Cold drains your strength and robs you of the ability to make sound decisions on matters affecting your survival. Cold-water immersion, because of the initial shock and the rapid heat loss that follows, is especially dangerous.
The initial stage is the involuntary gasp reflex which if it occurs underwater will cause the victim to immediately start drowning. It is for that reason that life jackets are required to be worn at all times while out on the water. The risk of dying without one is too high.
Non-swimmers similarly must not go on whitewater rafting trips due to high risk under stress that occurs during a whitewater capsize. It normally w includes the need many times to swim to the raft/kayak/canoe you just fell out of. Dressing for the Water – NOT THE AIR Bring and wear appropriate clothing for bad weather or sudden immersion in the water. Dry suits are worn when the water temperature is less than 45 to 50 degrees F. A drysuit is essential for protection if you capsize or go in for an unexpected swim. Wetsuits are the second choice, but they work by warming the frigid water from 50 to 65 degrees next to your skin.
It takes a bit of energy to warm up 50 to 65 degree water in a wetsuit in early season from April/May/Early June. People have drowned on the Rio Grande and Animas Rivers on early season trips that were wearing partial wet suits. Rounding out a wet suit or drysuit will be a neoprene skullcap, neoprene gloves, and neoprene boots. Next best that will work in temperatures 65 degrees and above are polypro fleece or pile clothing (no cotton) under a waterproof splash top shell with neck and wrist closures and a closable waist, waterproof splash pants should have both waist and cuff closures and neoprene skullcap, gloves, and booties. This setup and any regarding sudden cold water immersion assumes really quick rescues by a sweep raft or kayak. In this case, you should also carry waterproof matches and a change of clothing in a waterproof bag.
If, after prolonged exposure, a person experiences uncontrollable shaking, loss of coordination, or difficulty speaking, he or she is hypothermic, and needs your assistance. They may not be able to get out of the water due to loss of muscle coordination. Any persons experiencing a hypothermic episode and/or near drowning that may also take place should go to a hospital for observation and/or treatment due to heart stress that may result in loss of heart rhythm and death. Whitewater river runners should also consider taking a River Rescue course put on each year in the Taos area with the Taos District of the Bureau of Land Management.
