COLD-WATER BOATING REQUIRES ADDED PRECAUTIONS Oct. 27, 2011
Anglers and hunters can protect themselves against hypothermia
PRATT — While pleasure boaters have winterized and stored their
watercraft, avid waterfowl hunters and cold-weather anglers are
gearing up for fall hunting and fishing seasons. But fall can be
a dangerous time on the water. Most single-boat accidents take
place this time of year, and with water temperatures cooling,
these accidents can be deadly. One common mistake is overloading
a small boat with people and equipment. Overloaded boats are
unstable and can easily capsize or cause passengers to fall
overboard into frigid water. Sudden immersion into cold water
delivers a brutal shock to the body, triggering a spontaneous
inhalation reflex — deadly if one’s head is under water. But
wearing a life jacket can be enough to keep your head above
water during an involuntary gasp, keeping lungs from filling
with water. In addition, the body loses heat 25 times faster in
water than in air of the sa