Near drowning at Squam

[Slickcraft]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Anyone have any knowledge on a supposed human anatomy, atomatic reflex, where falling out of a boat and nto cold water is very likely to cause inhaling water, coughing, gagging, and possibly a quick drowning?
Falling out of a boat, what with the unconditioned gag reflex could be deadly?

Back in our early days of white water canoe paddling I had a few quick dumps into ice melt rapids with a wet suit on. It is a real shock but no more water is inhaled than in an unexpected dunking into warm water. The shock is over right away and you quickly move on to other considerations like saving your skin. In time the cold will wear you down even with a wet or dry suit. With no protection the cold will sap your strength real fast.

A pfd would have been very useful as keeping afloat saps the strength extra fast.