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Cold water immersion
wing15601	#1  Posted on 05/02/14 - 12:00 PM
Member Posts: 699 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/14/12	I'm just wondering... I fished Lake Michigan last year and now that the water is much colder this year I'm wondering, if you fall from your boat in cold water and assuming you have a way to get back into it, what do you do to prevent hypothermia in an open boat like a Montauk. Do any of you carry clothing, blankets or whatever? I've thought about "space blankets" but that would be hard to keep wrapped around your body while running back in if you're out several miles. Yeah, I know, don't fall in. But accidents happen. I winter in Ft. Myers and summer in St. Joseph, Michigan. It’s now about 12 years since I’ve joined this group. I gave my 1972 whaler to my daughter and sold the 17’. Bought an O’Day 28 sailboat and sailed on Lake Michigan. Yesterday I bought a 2005 130 Sport.
Silentpardner	#2  Posted on 05/02/14 - 12:12 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 593 Comments: 1 Joined: 06/12/11	If your that concerned, but an immersion suit. Best if you don it BEFORE you fall in though :)
wing15601	#3  Posted on 05/02/14 - 12:23 PM
Member Posts: 699 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/14/12	I doubt I would be able to get back into the boat wearing an immersion suit. I'm really not that concerned but am just wondering what people do because it does happen. Edited by wing15601 on 05/02/14 - 12:24 PM I winter in Ft. Myers and summer in St. Joseph, Michigan. It’s now about 12 years since I’ve joined this group. I gave my 1972 whaler to my daughter and sold the 17’. Bought an O’Day 28 sailboat and sailed on Lake Michigan. Yesterday I bought a 2005 130 Sport.
Joe Emslie	#4  Posted on 05/03/14 - 4:55 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 44 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/05/10	Not sure if you have ever heard of of Dr Giesbrecht aka Dr. Popsicle but he is a leading expert in this subject and I have included a link to some reading material for you. Hopefully this helps. http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/kinrec/about/giesbrecht.html
gchuba	#5  Posted on 05/03/14 - 9:16 AM
Member Posts: 1675 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/31/13	Did a quick Google search on this interesting topic (ordering a Platismo safety ladder if I fall overboard while solo). University of Minnesota had an article "Hypothermia Prevention: Survival in cold water". Best not to wear cotton if wet. Warm head, neck, shoulders, groin. Cuddle with other for body heat. Dry off. The article had interesting info on tactics in water. gchuba
Phil T	#6  Posted on 05/03/14 - 12:12 PM
Administrator Personal Page Personal Album Project Albums Posts: 7043 Comments: 6 Joined: 03/26/05	I always kept a rain coat and bib, thermal underwear, and socks in my front cooler for "just in case". I boated in early spring, late fall in Maine, typically solo. One early spring day in March I did fall off the float on the island due to ice. Air temp was low 30's, water about 40. I was still wearing my life jacket (under my insulated work suit). I swam over to my boat and climbed back in using the anti-cavitation on the motor as a step. I stripped off the wet clothes and got changed. Getting out of the wind is key. After an hour in the unheated dock house I felt much better. It was a very cold 20 minute run back to town. I parked at the ramp and sat in my truck with the heat blasting for 30 minutes, then pulled the boat. Rubber dipped or neoprene gloves are also a must for hands. http://store.hamiltonmarine.com/brows...,8601.html
Weatherly	#7  Posted on 05/03/14 - 3:12 PM
Member Posts: 752 Comments: 4 Joined: 12/31/06	It is not what you do after you fall overboard, but rather before in the way of preparation for such an incident, that will save your life. Wear a PFD; use a kill switch halyard; have a boarding ladder installed so you can get back onto your boat. I too have used the anti-cav plate for footing to get back aboard. I installed a swim platform after I gashed my tibia when my foot slipped on lower unit.
gchuba	#8  Posted on 05/03/14 - 4:23 PM
Member Posts: 1675 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/31/13	I just remembered a tip with an old time commercial fisherman when tilting an elbow at the local saloon. He told he wore nylon panty hose with the the feet cut out of it. Kept him warm on deck and would not weigh him down if overboard. Tough call for complete safety for recreational boating. I for one do not touch a drink when out on a boat (as captain or guest) and my guests know my point of view about alcohol on my boat (they may warm up a coffee). A little prevention goes a long way. Customized my stainless rail to 17" above the gunwales (leaves 35" rail from the deck) for fear of failing overboard. I already have a folding ladder for getting back on board but got the Platismo ladder to keep in place while under way for myself if alone. gchuba For Phil T. I am glad your story had a happy ending and you are here to tell us.
wing15601	#9  Posted on 05/03/14 - 11:48 PM
Member Posts: 699 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/14/12	Weatherly, yes, my point exactly. How do you prepare for being soaking wet in 40 degree air after you climb back into the boat? I winter in Ft. Myers and summer in St. Joseph, Michigan. It’s now about 12 years since I’ve joined this group. I gave my 1972 whaler to my daughter and sold the 17’. Bought an O’Day 28 sailboat and sailed on Lake Michigan. Yesterday I bought a 2005 130 Sport.
Weatherly	#10  Posted on 05/04/14 - 2:07 PM
Member Posts: 752 Comments: 4 Joined: 12/31/06	I benefited by being issued a drysuit when I served in the USCG. I do not leave the dock without it when the outside temperature is below 45 degrees F. http://www.mustangsurvival.com/profes...country=25
gchuba	#11  Posted on 05/04/14 - 4:48 PM
Member Posts: 1675 Comments: 0 Joined: 03/31/13	Wing, sorry for wandering off topic. I happen to have a cuddy cabin and keep some gortex coats as well as some sun hats on board for guests. After reflecting on this thread, and reading that head and neck are priority places to warm up. A scarf, a warm hat that covers the ears, and some insulated ski pants are going to be apart of my general gear. gchuba
wing15601	#12  Posted on 05/04/14 - 5:19 PM
Member Posts: 699 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/14/12	I starting to think along the lines of a short sleeved and legs light weight (thin) wetsuit. Years ago I had a shorty suit made of neoprene but it was 1/4 inch thick. I'm thinking I could wear the 2/3 mm shorty suit under my clothes and if I do get wet it will protect my body as I'm not worried about heat loss through arms and legs as much as the chest and belly areas. I think I would really only need this with water temps below 45 F. I winter in Ft. Myers and summer in St. Joseph, Michigan. It’s now about 12 years since I’ve joined this group. I gave my 1972 whaler to my daughter and sold the 17’. Bought an O’Day 28 sailboat and sailed on Lake Michigan. Yesterday I bought a 2005 130 Sport.
WRufus	#13  Posted on 05/05/14 - 10:47 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 73 Comments: 1 Joined: 01/15/13	I was dumped over in mid thirty degree water sailboat racing. your body moves in slow motion in water that cold. I had on a PFD, a spray suit, under that all fleece (but wished I had a dry suit on). Wet clothes are a lot heavier, so make sure you can handle that extra weight solo while getting out of the water. Weatherly is right a PFD & dry suit is key for cold conditions. Edited by WRufus on 05/05/14 - 10:52 AM 1989 Montauk 17' w/ F70 Yamaha