Locally Commercial fishermen teach their kids that to go into the water is to die. Nobody can swim for long in 39 degree water.
A plunge into ice-cold water knocks your breathing outta whack—50% of people over 50 have a heart-attack and the rest of deaths are because people breath in giant gulps of water.
In Marine Emergency Duty class we are now teaching people that if you fall in cold water—here’s what you do—absolutely nothing—get your breathing under control first. You will be able to help yourself for a few minutes if you can get your breathing under control—hypothermia will take at least 20 minutes to kill you.
I’m like Richard—get in my boat only after you put on the PFD.
