Adventure Challenges

Part 1: Understanding cold water immersion (1 hour)

• Introduction to Cold Water Hazards: This section emphasizes that cold water poses a significant threat, even when air temperatures are mild.
• The 1-10-1 Principle: This highlights the crucial timeline in cold water emergencies: 1 minute for cold shock, 10 minutes of meaningful movement, and 1 hour of useful consciousness, according to the Minnesota DNR. Discuss how this is outdated and not supported by current research, then discuss more recent strategies.
• Cold Shock: Explain the body's involuntary reaction to sudden immersion in cold water, including gasping, rapid breathing, and potential for heart and blood pressure problems. Water as warm as 77°F (25°C) can trigger rapid breathing, and cold shock in 50-60°F water can be as severe as in 35°F water.
• Physical Incapacitation: Discuss the rapid loss of muscle control, which can occur within seconds or minutes of immersion in cold water (especially below 70°F), making it difficult to swim or self-rescue.
• Hypothermia: Define hypothermia as the dangerous cooling of the body's core temperature below 95°F (35°C). Outline the signs and symptoms, including shivering (which may stop in severe cases), confusion, fumbling hands, slurred speech, drowsiness, and impaired judgment.
• Understanding Heat Loss in Water: Explain why the body loses heat 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air. Discuss how factors like water temperature, body size, body fat percentage, and movement in the water affect heat loss and survival times. According to the Minnesota Sea Grant, in water 32-40°F, one can typically swim for only up to 7 minutes before exhaustion. Even in water temperatures of 40-50°F, one can lose coordinated hand and finger movements in less than 5 minutes.
• The Importance of Life Jackets: Emphasize that wearing a life jacket significantly increases the chances of survival in cold water immersion. It allows one to float without expending energy, helping to conserve heat and prevent drowning.

Part 2: Survival techniques in cold water (1 hour)

Immediate Actions Upon Immersion:

• Stay Calm and Control Breathing: Focus on controlling breathing and suppressing the gasp reflex, which can lead to inhaling water, according to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance
• Minimize Movement: Advise against swimming unless close to safety, as movement accelerates heat loss.
• Utilize Flotation: Encourage finding and using any available floating objects to get as much of the body out of the water as possible, even if it's capsized or swamped boat.

Survival Positions in Cold Water:

• Heat Escape Lessening Posture (H.E.L.P.): Demonstrate and have participants practice the H.E.L.P. position – drawing knees to the chest, pressing arms against the sides, and keeping the head out of the water, which protects the critical areas of heat loss: the head, neck, groin, and rib cage/armpits.
• Huddle Position: Explain the benefit of huddling with others in the water to share body heat and provide moral support. If possible, put children in the center of the huddle to maximize warmth.

Signaling for Help:

• Discuss methods for attracting rescuers, such as using flares, whistles, and brightly colored clothing or life jackets.

Part 3: Prevention, rescue, and post-rescue care (1 hour)

Preparation and Prevention:

• Wear a Life Jacket: Reiterate the importance of always wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when on or near cold water.
• Dress for the Water Temperature: Stress that wearing appropriate clothing, such as a wetsuit, dry suit, or immersion suit, can significantly increase survival time by retaining body heat.
• Inform Others: Emphasize the importance of informing someone of your plans, including the location and expected duration of the activity.

Rescue Techniques (for Rescuers):

• Prioritize Safety: Emphasize calling for professional help immediately and prioritizing the safety of the rescuer.
• Reach, Throw, Row: Advocate for safe rescue techniques like reaching with a branch, throwing a rope or life ring, or using a boat to retrieve the victim, rather than entering the water themselves.
• Gentle Handling: Explain the importance of gentle handling when removing a person from cold water to prevent cardiac arrest.

Post-Rescue Care for Hypothermia:

• Call 911: Immediately call for emergency medical services.
• Remove Wet Clothing: Gently remove wet clothing and replace it with dry blankets or clothing.
• Warm Slowly and Carefully: Warm the core of the body first (trunk and abdomen), avoiding rapid rewarming of extremities, which can cause dangerous heart arrhythmias. Do not rub or massage the victim.
• Provide Warm Liquids: If the person is awake and alert, provide warm (not hot) non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated liquids.

Course materials

• Life jackets for demonstration and practice
• Survival suits (if available)
• Visual aids: Posters or slides illustrating the 1-10-1 principle, cold shock, hypothermia symptoms, and survival positions
• Flares, whistles, and other signaling devices
• Rope, branches, or ladders for practicing reach rescues
• Blankets and dry clothing for post-rescue care demonstrations