Hypothermia and cold-water survival

USCG Boat Crew Seamanship Manual §4-A

USCG Boat Crew Seamanship Manual §4-A — Care of survivors — hypothermia and cold-water immersion Hypothermia is the loss of body core heat and is the leading killer of people recovered from the water. It develops far faster in water than in air because water carries heat away many times faster than air of the same temperature; even moderately cool water will chill a person over time. Signs progress from shivering, slurred speech, and clumsiness (mild) to violent shivering that then stops, confusion, stumbling, and drowsiness (moderate), to loss of shivering, rigid muscles, weak or irregular pulse, and unconsciousness (severe). Care of a survivor: get them out of the water and out of the wind, handle them gently, and remove wet clothing and replace it with dry covering, insulating from bel…