The Value of Wearing a Lifejacket in Cold Waters
Personal Flotation Devices Save Lives During Winter Weather Boating
Sep 2, 2009
The New York Times reports that the New York Legislature and Governor Paterson have passed legislation recognizing the importance of wearing a lifejacket, especially in cold weather. This new law requires wearing of a lifejacket by all those aboard boats under 21 feet in length during the period between November 1 and May 1 each year.
Data complied by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) have long supported the contention that wearing a lifejacket greatly improves the chances of surviving a boating incident that inadvertently places a person into the water. Research into cold water injuries highlights the importance of wearing a lifejacket during immersion in cold waters.
Significant USGS Recreational Boating Safety Statistics
In 2008, the USCG received reports of some 4,789 boating accidents that caused 709 deaths, 3,331 serious injuries, $54 million in property damage. A report compiling this information, Recreational Boating Statistics 2008, offers some important insights on the use and wear of lifejackets. In 2008:
- More than two-thirds of all boating fatalities were from drowning and 90% of these accident victims were not wearing a lifejacket
- The lifejacket legislation covers boats less than 21 feet long that account for 70% of those who drowned in boating accidents
- There were 179 deaths and 382 serious injuries that occurred in waters less than 60° Fahrenheit.
Lifejackets and Cold Water Immersion
Most experts classify cold water as being less than 65° Fahrenheit. Immersion in cold water follows a progression of four distinct physiological stages. They are cold shock response, cold incapacitation, hypothermia, and circumrescue collapse. Use of a lifejacket can make a huge difference in the way a person reacts to the cold through the first three steps.
- Cold Shock Response – The natural response to entering cold water is to gasp. Those not prepared for a fall into cold water will gasp and can inhale water. Many people die during this initial contact with cold water. Wearing a lifejacket will greatly reduce the chances of aspirating water.
- Cold Incapacitation - The longer a person stays in cold water, the less physical movement they will be capable of performing. This incapacitation makes it harder to swim or reboard a vessel after falling. The chance for self-rescue decreases with continued exposure to cold water.
- Hypothermia – While many believe this occurs immediately, hypothermia is actually the third stage of cold water immersion. If a person is lucky and has worn their lifejacket, they may survive the immersion to reach this point. Research shows that people can survive for long periods in cold water, but only if they are wearing a lifejacket.
New York has recognized the importance of lifejacket use and they have tied together the connections that exist between boat length, seasonal weather and lifejacket use as factors in boating related deaths. Hopefully others will follow the example being made in the Empire State.
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