For Cold Water Boaters - the 1-10-1 Rule and More

[scoutabout]

Seems like a good time of year to remind everyone who boats in frigid temperatures of the 1-10-1 Rule as well as other critical facts about hypothermia.


From www.coldwaterbootcamp.com

"Dr Gordon Giesbrecht coined the phrase 1-10-1 to describe the three critical phases of cold water immersion. Over many years, Gordon has researched the effects of cold water immersion on hundreds of subjects and has personally experienced those effects himself over 30 times.

1-10-1 is a simple way to remember the first three phases of cold water immersion and the approximate time each phase takes.


1 - Cold Shock. An initial deep and sudden Gasp followed by hyperventilation that can be as much as 600-1000% greater than normal breathing. You must keep your airway clear or run the risk of drowning. Cold Shock will pass in about 1 minute. During that time concentrate on avoiding panic and getting control of your breathing. Wearing a lifejacket during this phase is critically important to keep you afloat and breathing.

10 - Cold Incapacitation. Over approximately the next 10 minutes you will lose the effective use of your fingers, arms and legs for any meaningful movement. Concentrate on self rescue initially, and if that isn?t possible, prepare to have a way to keep your airway clear to wait for self rescue. Swim failure will occur within these critical minutes and if you are in the water without a lifejacket, drowning will likely occur.

1 - HYPOTHERMIA. Even in ice water it could take approximately 1 hour before becoming unconscious due to Hypothermia. If you understand the aspects of hypothermia, techniques of how to delay it, self rescue and calling for help, your chances of survival and rescue will be dramatically increased."

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Also, here's a link to an immersion demo performed last year on Lake Muskoka (co-incidentally where I spent most of my formative boating youth). It's a shame about the cheesy music but you can see it doesn't take long for the chattering to start. Air temp was -13 deg C, water I think about 4 deg.

PFDs are smart anytime. Not wearing one around cold water stacks the deck against you considerably.

http://www.cottagelife.com/index.cfm?ci_id=34505

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: For Cold Water Boaters - the 1-10-1 Rule and More

Great post to read and heed.
This is very important: "Over approximately the next 10 minutes you will lose the effective use of your fingers, arms and legs for any meaningful movement."
That means buckling the PFD, opening the waterproof case and dialing the cell phone, climbing up the swim ladder (which is why you have it in cold water); swimming to shore (usually a bad idea if more than 50'); swimming after the boat you just fell off of; untying anything; shooting flares or using a VHF. Your hands become like clubs. You can't hold onto a rail, rope or another person across the hull of a flipped boat. Therefore you have to already have planned your self-rescue, b/c you won't have time to think of one or try a couple. However, it is time well spent (that is, seconds) to stop, assess, plan, and execute, and verbalize plan/command if not alone.

This also means you do not have time to retrieve any floating gear unless it is survival essential. The quick swim a few strokes after the tackle box could be the end of you. God forbid you have to consider whether to go after another person.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: For Cold Water Boaters - the 1-10-1 Rule and More

Great post. I fish Lake St. Clair and always wear a pfd. People underestimate cold water. Even in June Northern lakes can be cold enough to cause hypothermia.

I don't swim well enough to save my fishing partner, so I always have a throwable handy. If I go in after someone we are both doomed. Consider a kill switch also. A must if you boat alone.

Be safe and have a plan. I know someone who died from hypothermia in May.

 

[dave11]

Re: For Cold Water Boaters - the 1-10-1 Rule and More

Good reminder

 

[scoutabout]

Re: For Cold Water Boaters - the 1-10-1 Rule and More

The article that Cottage Life published as a companion to the video also pointed out that swimming will kill you quicker because you are constantly moving a very thin layer of warmer water that's around you away in exchange for fresh, cold water. Down goes your core temp all that much faster. There's a heat-saving floating position that's recommended, and if you can at all possibly manage it, keep your hands out of the water for when you need them.

And if you fall through ice and can't climb out, they recommend at least getting your wet sleeves on the ice edge so they freeze to it. It will keep you from sliding under if you lose consciousness, hopefully buying that much more time for someone to find you.

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: For Cold Water Boaters - the 1-10-1 Rule and More

New boater here, never heard of or read of this before, your post helped one person today.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: For Cold Water Boaters - the 1-10-1 Rule and More

Good Post Scoutabout.
Out/up here in the PNW the serious ocean boaters tend to have survival suits. The commercial fisherman, Coast Guard, etc are typical of this. As well, pretty much all of the whale watch outings have everyone wear them when they head out. They also serve as being very snug and warm.
We don't boat the ocean in our lake boat at this point but my wife is adamant that if we start to the first purchases will be survival suits....good piece of mind. Not a magic bullet but a massive advantage over a life jacket.
BP