Stearns Safety & Survival 1189 - Manual (Page 16)

16
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. Use the standard H.E.L.P. position when wearing an inflatable PFD.
Wrap your arms around your torso, under the PFD, and draw your
legs up to a seated position. Doing so will help you 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.