ThePADDLER 18
COLD WATER SHOCK
However we are dressed , an involuntary response is likely to hit us on immersion into cold water . We can end up with an uncontrolled gasp response , immediate constriction of surface blood vessels , increased heart rate and a surge in blood pressure . These are unpleasant effects for any of us but can , for some , lead to a heart attack or stroke . For most , these effects decline after a couple of minutes , but then the body will be cooling which will , if the situation is not resolved , eventually lead to hypothermia .
We are now in a race against time . Breathing will become more normal , but hands and limbs will be cooling quickly as the body works to maintain core temperature . In cold water , hands will start becoming clumsy within ten minutes , and our ability to use arms and legs will diminish . Swimming will become ineffective . Even in a drysuit , hands and limbs will be cooling quickly . The body is not yet hyperthermic , but we are losing the ability to do anything to help ourselves .
If we are in a group , then hopefully , others will affect our rescue . However , some of us travel as a single boat , solo or tandem , or in strong wind others may not be able to get back to us : using solo sailing rigs , this is a real risk . We need the ability to self-rescue when far from shore , and swimming will not save us .
CAPISTRANO FLIP
With a lighter boat and a good swimming kick , it is possible to get in under a capsized canoe and throw it over to become upright and dry Photo above right ). As a tandem crew , it works well with the swimmers around the canoe ' s centre . Solo , it is normally best to work close to one end and rely on the airbag at the other end ; the canoe pivots over the airbag , and again , with enough kick and thrust from one arm , the canoe can be almost empty .
Anyone who has been in the water for an extended period and is suffering from hypothermia must be treated with extreme care . Water pressure on the legs will have squeezed blood out of circulation . People should not be raised vertically out of the water , as this will encourage blood quickly back into the legs ; this can prove fatal . Medical assistance is required fast , and the casualty must be kept horizontal .
A tandem crew can assist each other to re-enter . A solo paddler relies on getting their legs to the surface and giving an almighty set of kicks , with one hand on the near gunwale to push and the other on the far side to pull . It is something I used to do myself , but with increasing years and weight , it no longer works for me ( below ).