How long do you survive in cold water?

A helpful memory rule is 1-10-1: about a minute to get cold shock during control and breathing calm, about ten minutes of meaningful movement before the muscles stop obeying, and in the order of the size one hour before you become unconscious of cooling. Times vary with temperature, clothing and person – but they show that the urgency to get up.

Cold shock is the body’s first reaction when you suddenly end up in cold water: involuntary braiding, hyperventilation, and rising pulse. That’s when many people drown, because you can breathe in water. If you have the life jacket and can hold your head over the surface until breathing calms down, the danger is often over in a minute.

How do you notice hypothermia?

Early signs are sharply chilled, cold and pale hands, lumpy and stainless speech. When the frost stops and the person becomes apathetic or confused, it is serious. Get the person out of wet and in heat, switch to dry, give warm sweet drink if they are awake, and alert 112 when affected consciousness.

Cold Water & Hypotherapy – The Risks and How to Cope

Cold water is the actual danger of the paddling – far greater than the rapids or wind of most people. It is foolish that the air can be warm while still ice cold, especially in spring. Anyone who understands the risks and dresses right can enjoy the cold-water season by margin.

Why cold water is dangerous

The danger comes in two steps. First, the column shock when you suddenly end up in: the body braids involuntarily and you hyperventilate, making you easily breathe in water. Then the colding (hypotheremia), where the muscles gradually stop obeying so that you can no longer swim or get up, and finally the consciousness is affected.

The crucial thing is that both go faster than you think – and that a life jacket buys you the time you need to cope with the first shock. Learn more about välja flytväst.

Dressing after the water

The single most important measure is to dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. If the water is cold, you need clothes that heat even wet – wetsuit or dry suit. This is the foundation of our guide on kläder för paddling. Avoid cotton, which cools when it gets wet.

If someone is in

Keep the group together and get the person up as quickly as possible - every minute counts. - Prioritize getting them out of wet and in the leather, switch to dry clothes or pack into what you have. Give warm, sweet drinks if the person is awake. Handle gently – jerking and cold can affect the heart. - in the case of a chill that ceases, confusion or affected consciousness: Alarm 112

Planning the risk

Paddle near land in cold conditions, avoid lonely paddling, and tell someone where to go. Practice egenräddning in a safe position before you need it. With the right clothes and respect for the water, the spring and autumn paddling is one of the finest of the year.