Quote:
Originally Posted by Skip
Actually that is not true.
I have had the unfortunate experience of falling into 40 degree water off a dock being put in several years ago just after ice-out on the Cocheco River down in Dover. I did not notice the cold until well after I had been pulled out of the water and after hypothermia had set in.
What does happen is your muscles become unresponsive and it makes it very difficult to pull yourself up and out of the water. This will be aggravated by the amount and type of clothes you are wearing.
Actually the full effects didn't take place until 10 or 15 minutes after I was out of the water and attempting to remove my clothes and boots.
However one thing I did not notice upon entering the water (and subsequently sinking to the bottom in about 15 feet of water) was the cold. I definitely didn't immediately gasp or take in any water, my only immediate thought was to get back to the surface and get out. I did sink back in twice before the other guys working with me got a firm grip on me and were able to haul me back up on the docks.
When I teach my snowmobile safety classes I always relate this first hand experience to my students when I cover safety while travelling over ice, as there seems to be much misconception out there about the dangers and the actual conditions one faces when they are plunged into extremely cold water.
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The instinctive reaction can vary based on several variables. I fell into cold water once and my reaction was similar to yours.
In this weather, NEVER boat alone. On a powerboat, I don't wear a PFD (I guess I should), but always my bright yellow "on-the-water" jacket.
Now sailing a 14-foot dinghy in this weather REALLY stinks!
Just be safe and use common sense.