Public Information Statement
Statement as of 10:30 am EDT on May 22, 2013
... National safe boating week Monday 5/20 through Friday 5/24...
Wearing a personal flotation device or life jacket in the water is
the key to survival. These will allow you to float with a minimum of
energy expended and allows you to fight hypothermia in the water.
But you must remember to utilize the heat escape lessening
position... also known as help.
Hypothermia is a condition in which the core temperature drops below
the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions.
This occurs at 95 degrees fahrenheit. If exposed to cold the internal
mechanisms of you body are unable to replenish the heat that is
being lost... and a drop in your core temperature can occur. As body
temperature decreases... characteristic symptoms occur such as
shivering and mental confusion since heat is lost more quickly in
water than on land.
A water temperature of 50 degrees fahrenheit can often leads to death
in one hour if hypothermia occurs... and at water temperatures near
freezing can lead to death in as little as 15 minutes. Even water at
a seemingly warm temperature... such as 79 degrees fahrenheit... after
a long exposure can also lead to hypothermia.
To help in preventing hypothermia should you become submerged in the
water... huddle together with others with all wearing their life jacket.
If you are alone... make your body as small as you can... wrapping
yourself in the life jacket as much as possible. Keep your head out
of the water.
