Clarerutter

This week’s discussion point from me is about cold-water shock & hypothermia. It’s great to see so many still out paddling in these colder months but it’s important to be even more aware than usual of the threat of cold-water shock & hypothermia: their prevention, their recognition and our response to them. Cold-water shock is the body’s natural response to immersion in water below 15 degrees centigrade and, without rewarming, can lead onto hypothermia. The sudden cooling of the body causes involuntary gasps for breath and increased heart rate & blood pressure which may lead to the inhalation of water, initiating drowning and/or cardiac arrest.Hypothermia is a dangerous drop below 35 degrees centigrade in the core body temperature through progressive heat loss, which, in a severe case left untreated, can lead to unconsciousness and death. Signs and symptoms can include shivering, fatigue, impaired judgement, loss of dexterity, slurred speech and inward behaviour. An individual’s behaviour may change, become slow, withdrawn or erratic, with low or no response to communication, and these should be considered as hypothermic indicators. Rapid early response can prevent a worsening situation. Remove or protect the individual from the conditions, replace wet clothing with warm & dry, give high energy food and non-alcoholic, non-caffeine hot drinks. These actions alone may result in rewarming and improvement but if deterioration is evident, emergency medical attention should be sought urgently.

Consideration of and taking steps to both prevent and treat cold-water shock and hypothermia should take priority and be key to any paddle plan. Thorough forward planning should be undertaken including checking the weather/water conditions, what clothing, equipment and supplies may be required, and room for adaptability on destination and aims where possible.

What preparedness tips and recommendations do you have against cold-water shock and hypothermia? Have you ever been in one of these situations yourself whether as the casualty or the responder? If so, what lessons can you share from your experience?