Stearns Recreational 4430 - Manual (Page 21)

21
Some Points to Remember About Hypothermia
Protection:
1. Always wear your PFD. Even if you become incapacitated due
to hypothermia, the PFD will keep you afloat and greatly
improve your chances of rescue.
2. Do not attempt to swim unless it is to reach a nearby craft,
fellow survivor, or a floating object on which you can lean or
climb. Swimming increases the rate of body heat loss. In cold
water, drown-proofing methods that require putting your head
in the water are not recommended. Keep your head out of
the water. This will greatly lessen heat loss and increase your
survival time.
3. To conserve body heat use the standard
H.E.L.P. position. Keep your arms as close to
your body as possible to reduce the amount
of skin surface that is exposed to the water.
Keeping water out of your arm pits is
especially important. Drawing your legs up
into a seated position with your knees
together will also help to conserve body heat.
4. Keep a positive attitude about your survival and
rescue. This will improve your chances of extending
your survival time until rescued. Your will-to-live
does make a difference!
5. If there is more than one person in the water, huddling is
recommended while waiting to be rescued. This action tends
to reduce the rate of heat loss and thus increase the survival
time.