HypothermiaAnnapolis Yacht Club

February 24

Overview

What is Hypothermi

a?

How does it happen?

Why does it happen?

What do I do to

prevent it?

Proper attire for

cold weather

Tips for handling a situation

Water Temp Survival

Rate

Windchill chart

How to survive in the water

Symptoms

Treatment

What is Hypothermia?

Hypothermia - "a decrease in core body temperature to a level at which normal muscular and cerebral functions are impaired.”

In other words, “when your body is too cold to deal.”

Stay Dry Stay ALIVE

How does it happen?

Radiation- loss of heat due to the environment.

Conduction- through direct

contact between objects, think

WATER & SKIN. Water conducts heat away from the body 25x

faster than air.

Keep your body covered up, hats, gloves and core

and chances go down

Why does it happen?

Wearing Improper clothingCotton, non wicking under layers

It is hard to “re-warm” cold sweat.

No dry suit or wetsuit NO HAT

Getting wetCapsize, falling in, spray, sweat.

Fatigue, dehydration, hungerNot eating, getting enough sleep

or drinking enough fluids can lead to Hypothermia

What do I do to help prevent it?Luckily common sense helps here!

• Wear the Right Gear• Under layer (closest to the skin) is able to wick moisture from skin.

• Keep hands and feet DRY (extremities are the first to go)

• Wear a HAT

• Drink water, not Soda or Coffee• Yes even if you are not thirsty, it is far easier to get Hypothermia if

you are dehydrated! (caffeine is a dehydrator)

• Eat small meals• Small healthy snacks in between sets keeps the energy level up.

• Food = Fuel Fuel = Heat

• Do I need to wear/buy a dry suit?• NO a good wetsuit works fine with a wind blocking outer layer.

Properly Dressed Sailor!Base layer

Wicking layer- NO COTTON, the goal here is to get sweat away from my skin.

Thermal layerKeep me warm- OPERTIVE word here is warm. You

don’t want to be hot as you are sailing or you will SWEAT!

Outer LayerWaterproof-windproof- keep the elements out.Gloves, boots and hats

Gloves-Dishwashing gloves work well. Boots- good boots or sneakers with waterproof socks

or bags. Hat- fleece tight fitting hat that covers the ears. No

Bankrobbers.

HELP this is costing me a Fortune!Wetsuit vs Dry Suit

The modern drysuit was invented 20 years ago. Previously, sailors wore wet suits - goal is to warm up the water between the body and the suit.

Gore-Tex socks vs. Warm socks & plastic bags

The goal is to keep feet warm & dry. We have had some success with good sneakers and wool/fleece socks and plastic bags.

Wicking layerSorry can’t cheat here. Poly,

underarmour, fleece, capilene, wool works!

I’ve Fallen (in) & I Can’t Get Up!Capsize!

Tips to make it easier/safer and to keep sailing….DON’T PANICR U OK?Minimize time in waterGet the boat upright fast, or CALL for

help & get out of the water.Change clothes between sets, if you

have wet under layer change it!Keep your head ABOVE water,

sounds basic, but really important.

Additional tipsMake sure both skipper and crew are on the

same page“Ready to gybe?” Help each other be safe

Again, DO NOT PANIC. In any situation, it is important to remain calm.

If capsized, first check on partner, then immediately try to flip the boat back up. Scoop Method

Water Temp Survival Rate

Avg Water Temp:November 53December 47January 41February 41

Water Temp Survival time

70+ 3 + Hours

60-70 2-40 Hours

50-60 1-6 Hrs

40-50 1-3 hours

MASSA Rule: if combined water and air temp below 100. Must wear Dry or

Wetsuit!

Air Temperature Water Temperature Combined Temperature

50 50 100

60 40 100

45 55 100

45 45 90

55 38 93

55 48 103

60 45 105

I am stuck in the water what do I do?

HELP

Heat, Escape, Lessening, Position.

This position, commonly referred to as the fetal position. Try to move knees to chest and wrap arms around body.

DON’T PANIC!

It saps energy and you need energy to keep warm.

How to survive in the water?

Signs & SymptomsHypothermia is progressive - the body

passes through several stages before an individual lapses into an unconscious state. The extent of a person’s hypothermia can be determined from the following:

1. Mild Hypothermia - the person feels cold, has violent shivering and slurred speech.

2. Medium Hypothermia - the person has a certain loss of muscle control, drowsiness, incoherence, stupor and exhaustion.

3. Severe Hypothermia - the person collapses and is unconscious and shows signs of respiratory distress and/or cardiac arrest probably leading to death.

TreatmentGradually Raise Body Temp

Wrap person in warm blankets/clothes and immediately remove to a warm shelter,

Sleeping bag/blanket, group hug (yes it works)!

Remove Wet ClothesSounds simple, but you would be surprised. Always have a change of clothes in your bag.

Don’t Rub, Massage, etc.This brings cold blood from the surface to the core. Key is to warm the core.

No AlcoholWarm water, drinks. No coffee, tea or stimulants .

ReviewHypothermia, a decrease in core body temp, can

be caused by wearing improper gear, getting wet, not protecting extremities, and malnutrition.

Proper gear: Base layer – thermal layer – outer layer

Tips: Don’t panic, get out of water ASAP, get boat upright, change clothes, get warm, call for help

Signs: cold, shivering, slurred speech, loss of muscle control, incoherence, exhaustion, respiratory distress, unconsciousness

Treatments: Gradually raise core body temp, get dry, get inside warm building, stay calm