Page 21 - Experience Oregon Boating Handbook
P. 21
3. In cold water, follow these procedures to prevent u Vessels on federally controlled waters must be
hypothermia: equipped with the U.S. Coast Guard approved visual
a. Keep your head out of the water and don’t remove distress signals. In Oregon, federally controlled
your clothes or shoes. waters include the mouth of the Columbia River
b. If possible, get in or on top of the boat to get as far and all coastal waters. All vessels, regardless of
out of the water as possible. This will help retain length or type, are required to carry night signals
body heat. when operating between sunset and sunrise. Most
c. Wear a life jacket, and if alone, assume the fetal vessels must carry day signals also; exceptions to the
posture by curling your knees into your chest. This requirement for day signals are:
position will help retain heat to the core of your body.
Always wear your life jacket to reduce panic and • Recreational vessels that are less than 16 feet in
length;
improve your chance of surviving in an accident.
• Non-motorized open sailboats that are less than 26
Recognized Distress Signals feet in length, and;
The signals illustrated below indicate a boat is in
distress and requires assistance. However, other methods • Manually propelled boats.
may be used.
u VDSs, must be U.S. Coast Guard – approved, in
WAVE ARMS SLOWLY WAVE SOUND HORN, BELL OR SET OFF ORANGE serviceable condition and readily accessible.
UP AND DOWN ORANGE FLAG WHISTLE REPEATEDLY COLORED SMOKE SIGNAL
• A minimum of three must be carried and not past
USE RED ROCKET DISPLAY ORANGE AND SEND "MAY DAY" BLINK FLASHLIGHT OR their expiration dates.
OR FLARE BLACK CLOTH AS SHOWN ON RADIO WHITE LIGHT - S.O.S.
Cold Water Immersion
Visual distress signals and Hypothermia
Visual distress signals (VDS) allow vessel operators to Used by permision. Copyright© 2008 Boat Ed, www.boat-ed.com
signal for help in the event of an emergency. VDSs are
classified as day signals (visible in bright sunlight), night Cold water immersion kills in several ways. The
signals (visible at night), or both day and night signals. colder the water, the greater the chance of death. By
VDSs are either pyrotechnic (smoke and flames) or non- understanding how your body reacts in cold water,
pyrotechnic (non-combustible). you can prepare for and be better able to respond
appropriately, and increasing your chance of survival.
u There are four stages of cold water immersion:
• Stage I: Initial “cold shock” occurs in the
first 3 to 5 minutes of immersion in cold
water. Sudden immersion into cold water
can cause immediate, involuntary gasping;
hyperventilation and vertigo -all of which
can result in water inhalation and drowning.
Immersion in cold water can also cause sudden
changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and heart
rhythm, which also can result in death. [See
hypothermia survival times chart below]
• Stage II: Short-term “swim failure” occurs
3 to 30 minutes following immersion in cold
water. The muscles and nerves in the arms and
legs cool quickly. Manual dexterity, hand grip
strength, and speed of movement can all drop
by 60% to 80%. Even normally strong persons
can lose strength necessary to pull themselves
Hypothermia Survival Times
Duration of Immersion (hours)¥ 5
4 High Probability
of Death
3 Danger Zone
2 Low Probability
of Death
1
30 40 50 60 70 37
Water Temperature (ϒF)¥
