Instructions / Assembly
14
The Cold Facts
Be aware that cold water (less than 70 degrees F) can
lower your body temperature. This is called hypothermia. If
your body temperature goes too low, you may pass out and
then drown. Even if you’re wearing a PFD, your body can
cool down 25 times faster in cold water than in air.
Water temperature, body size, amount of body fat, and
movement in the water all play a part in cold water survival.
Small people cool faster than large people. Children cool
faster than adults.
But PFDs can still help you stay alive longer in cold
water. They let you oat without using energy and they
protect part of your body from cold water. A snug-tting
PFD is better than one that’s loose-tting. When you boat
in cold water, use a otation coat or deck-suit style PFD.
In cold water they’re better than vests because they cover
more of your body.
HOW HYPOTHERMIA AFFECTS MOST ADULTS
Water Temperature
(Degrees Fahrenheit)
Exhaustion or
Unconsciousness
Expected Time
of Survival
32.5
32.5 to 40
40 to 50
50 to 60
60 to 70
70 to 80
Over 80
Under 15 min.
15 to 30 min.
30 to 60 min.
1 to 2 hrs.
2 to 7 hrs.
2 to 12 hrs.
Indenite
Under 15 to 45 min.
30 to 90 min.
1 to 3 hrs.
1 to 6 hrs.
2 to 40 hrs.
3 hrs. to indenite
Indenite