The cold hard facts ... expect the unexpected

OPP News Release

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North Bay - It’s hard to resist the beckoning, ice-free water of your favourite lake or river. The Ontario Provincial Police urge boaters and paddlers alike to be aware of the reality of cold-water dangers.

The Cold - Hard – Facts…
Immersion in cold water causes a powerful gasping reflex. If the victim is underwater, due to lack of a personal flotation device (PFD), water may be inhaled resulting in drowning. The victim may never surface.

Hypothermia develops more slowly than the immediate effects of cold-water shock. Water removes heat from the body 25 times faster than cold air. About 50% of that heat loss occurs through the head and neck. An adult dressed in average clothing may remain conscious for 30 to 60 minutes at water temperature of 4 - 10° C and perhaps 1 - 2 hours at 10 - 15° C.

The situation is more serious than these numbers suggest. Any movement at all greatly increases heat loss and shortens survival time. Hands become numb and useless in minutes and swimming is next to impossible. The victim is soon helpless, though still conscious. Subsequently, unconsciousness leads to drowning.

Last year in the North East Region, 8 people died in marine incidents and not one of those people wore a lifejacket.

“Stowing your PFD under the seat of your boat won’t do you a whole lot of good when you lose your balance and fall overboard,” explains Inspector Garry MacPherson, Manager Highway Safety Division, North East Region. “Increase your chance of survival and reduce your drowning risk by wearing an approved lifejacket and expect the unexpected!”

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