This must-read post by Mario Vittone appears over at gCaptain:
I’m going to come right out and tell you something that almost no one in the maritime industry understands. That includes mariners, executives, managers, insurers, dock workers, for certain – fisherman, and even many (most) rescue professionals:
It is impossible to die from hypothermia in cold water unless you are wearing flotation.
Despite the research, the experience, and all the data, I still hear “experts” – touting as wisdom – completely false information about cold water and what happens to people who get in it. With another season of really cold water approaching, I feel compelled to get these points across in a way that will change the way mariners behave out there on (or near) the water.
What follows is the truth about cold water and cold water immersion. I know that you think you know all there is to know about hypothermia already (and maybe you do), but read ahead and see if you aren’t surprised by something.
When the water is cold (say under 50 degrees F) there are significant physiological reactions that occur, in order, almost always.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Somehow Vittone screwed up – his article tells how hypothermia can be thwarted by wearing flotation, but he states at the beginning, “It is impossible to die from hypothermia in cold water UNLESS you are wearing flotation” (caps are mine). This means, “Flotation kills,” which is clearly not the message that follows. If he was attempting, in fact, to contradict this statement, he should have been more clear. Proofreading has its merits.
I was confused, too, so reread the entire article. The author, while providing some useful data, needs to rewrite the first headline.
Actually, I think that’s a “hook” to get you reading, but it isn’t an error. Think of it this way: The only way you can die of hypothermia is if you’re wearing flotation, because if you aren’t wearing flotation, OTHER effects of cold water immersion will have killed you long, long before hypothermia has a chance to take hold.
With flotation, you have a chance to survive all those other effects and be rescued. Or die of hypothermia.
Put yet another way: Hypothermia, specifically, is NOT the major, immediate hazard posed by cold water immersion. It’s a secondary problem. The major, immediate threats take effect much quicker than hypothermia does. If you’re lucky enough to survive those other things, it’s probably because you’re wearing flotation, and THEN hypothermia becomes a threat.
Put yet another way, “hypothermia” is a specific condition, but the word is misused to encompass all the effects of cold water immersion. This misuse of the word may cause even experienced mariners to make bad decisions about PFDs and other safety gear. The author wants to help mariners make better decisions and reduce risks.
Tim, I read this the same way as you. If you aren’t wearing flotation, you’ll never make it long enough to be killed by hypothermia.
Sorry Everyone,
First of all I want to say that I firmly believe that if the readers are at all confused, it is definitely my fault. I did not mean to imply (at all) that floatation thwarts hypothermia or that flotation kills. My point is that flotation thwarts the inevitable, and speedy, drowning that happens in very cold water.
The intention in the opening line is to contradict the misconception that if you end up in frigid water “you’ll die from hypothermia in ten minutes.” – a very common belief. So I said – you cant die from hyopthermia without flotation. I surely did not mean to imply that “flotation kills”.
I’ll add clarification immediately and thanks for the advice.