The Scary Truth About Surviving Capsizing In Cold Water

[Glenn MacGrady]

"According to the United States Coast Guard, in 2019 cold water was a factor in at least 87 paddling fatalities. Cold water is also a factor in roughly 200 drownings each year in Canada. Boaters, including canoeists, make up 40 percent of those deaths, according to the Canadian Red Cross."

"Cold shock response is caused by the sudden lowering of skin temperature upon immersion in cold water. The rapid cooling of skin causes gasping and hyperventilation, a spike in heart rate and blood pressure and panic for many. Cold shock can kill in just seconds—someone who gasps underwater without a life jacket won’t resurface."

The Scary Truth Every Paddler Needs To Know About Cold-Water Capsizes

Could you survive without immersion protection? Why our editor thinks you're totally screwed.

paddlingmag.com

 

[Alan Gage]

I've twice had minor cases of what I guess is the cold shock response. Immediately after going into cold water I was unable to control my breathing. It was a very odd sensation. I wasn't panicked but rather I remember consciously trying to control my breathing and being annoyed that I couldn't.

Breaths were jerky, shallow, and felt out of synch; like I was trying to take a breath before I had completely exhaled the last one. After maybe 5 seconds it was ok again.

Cold water is nothing to play around with. I once capsized in a partially frozen lake with air temps just below freezing and no one else was around. Thankfully the water was only up to my shoulders so I was able to slowly wade to shore. I had to use the partially filled canoe as an ice breaker to break through a skim of ice along the way. It was probably 150 yards and by the time I reached shore my legs were partially numb.

Thankfully, as an afterthought, I'd grabbed a set of spare clothes and tossed them in a dry bag on the way out the door. It was a bit hard to convince myself to strip naked in order to change because it seemed like the process would be really cold. But it wasn't any colder than wearing wet clothes and the dry clothes immediately felt warmer.

Alan

 

[yknpdlr]

Everyone should be aware of a whole series of videos by Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht, a Canadian cold water expert and safety instructor. If you can avoid panicking, you have more time than you may think for rescue.

and more if you google for them

 

[MrPoling]

I think this is one of the greatest hazards for canoe trippers. After my last swim I started carrying the crash bag every time I paddle. It includes dry clothes for each paddler and fire starting kit.

I'm always encouraging practice so I guess it is about time. I'm not looking forward to it.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

I started carrying the crash bag every time I paddle. It includes dry clothes for each paddler and fire starting kit.

I do the same. Importantly, the kit should also include a big towel, microfiber ones being low in bulk.

 

[eckilson]

First thing you need to figure out is what is "cold" water, and when do you have it. If you go with ACA guidance, cold water is 60 degrees. Around here (southern New England), water temperatures don't hit 60 degrees until around May, and drop below 60 degrees again around October, so anyone paddling November to April is in cold water conditions. The ocean warms and cools a little slower than rivers, and I assume big lakes do as well, but it is not going to change the timeline significantly. Here is the annual temperature chart for one of my local rivers.


If I am paddling whitewater (good chance of a swim) I have my drysuit on in cold water conditions, and usually a wetsuit and splash top in the shoulder seasons. The only time I am not wearing some cold water protection in whitewater is June - August. I've had 4 swims in whitewater so far this year including one in 35 degree water last January that was really COLD, and a long swim in a rolling rapid in September that was exhausting to swim out of - I'm getting old.

I have to admit, I am not as diligent about wearing cold water gear when paddling flatwater or when tripping - especially in those shoulder seasons. Up in ME there are definitely rivers with rapids that folks are running the first couple of weeks in May - Machias, St. John, etc. I haven't done them, but would need to think about cold water gear if/when I do.

The thought of capsizing a loaded tripping canoe in a big open lake in cold water is scariest to me. How do you get the gear out of the boat, the boat upright and empty, and the swimmer(s) back in the boat in difficult conditions before cold water incapacitation kicks in? I have never practiced rescuing a loaded tripping canoe, but we may try it this year.

Agree with the logic of having a dry bag with cloths and other safety gear, but that is not helpful until you are actually out of the water, which might be difficult in a lake. In a long rapid, you could also get to shore in a different location than your boat, so you wouldn't have access to the bag.

I do think trippers approach this with the right attitude - planning in lay-over days, portaging rapids, etc. Hopefully we are less likely to get into trouble, but the likelihood is not zero.

 

[Blukanu]

Most people (especially young people) never believe they can(will) lose control of their body.

I learned this lesson the hard way. As a kid we were playing down at the river in spring just after ice out. Buddies took off in the canoe and left me on the opposite shore. Not prob, I’ll just swim back across.

Jumped in and immediately went stiff from the shock of the icy cold water. Current’s pulling me and I’m fighting desperately to swim. Tried yelling out for help but all I could do was gasp, couldn’t get a sound out.

Luckily river wasn't too wide and didn’t take long to get in shallower water. It was an eye opening experience that I’m not invincible and to never underestimate how dangerous water can be.

 

[ppine]

We used to raft the Truckee River every spring during snow melt. Sometimes while it was snowing. Everyone wore wet suits with a few dry suits. I refused to paddle or row with anyone that did not wear one. The typical water temperatures were in the 42-44 degree range. We had plenty of swimmers over the years with no ill effects. Others were not so lucky.

I did a lot of water skiing and wake boarding when we were younger. The mountain lakes are cold, so we used a thermometer to figure out what to wear before entering the water. We did a lot of experimenting. Below 65 requires some kind of extra clothing like a shorty wet suit. Down near 50 feels really cold. Down near 40 you need gloves and a head covering and the fun starts to go out of it.