The following is a safe boating week message from the National safe
boating Council and the National Weather Service for this years
National safe boating week.
The topic today: hypothermia
Wearing a personal flotation device, pfd, in the water is a key to
survival. A pfd allows you float with a minimum of energy expended
and allows you to fight hypothermia when you assume the heat escape
lessening position - h. E. L. P.
Hypothermia is a condition in which core temperature drops below
the required temperature for normal metabolism and body functions
which is defined as 95 degrees. If exposed to cold the internal
mechanisms are unable to replenish the heat that is being lost, and
a drop in core temperature occurs. As body temperature decreases,
characteristic symptoms occur such as shivering and mental
confusion. Heat is lost more quickly in water than on land. Water
temperatures that would be quite reasonable as outdoor air
temperatures can lead to hypothermia. A water temperature of 50
degrees often leads to death in one hour, and water temperatures
hovering at freezing can lead to death in as little as 15 minutes.
Water at a seemingly warm temperature of 79 degrees will, after
prolonged exposure, lead to hypothermia.
This message was brought to you by the National Weather Service and
the National safe boating Council. Visit the National Weather
Service on the web at www.Weather.Gov and the National safe boating
Council at www.Safeboatingcouncil.Org
