Cold Water Immersion

Falling through ice or swamping a watercraft can get you really wet and cold. 

Rescuer Points

• Short cold water immersion will not cause hypothermia

• Avoid approaching broken ice during rescue

• Take time to change into dry clothing

• Change in sheltered area if possible

• Monitor subject during evacuation

Phases of Cold Water Immersion

• Cold Shock Response

• Cold Incapacitation

• Hypothermia

• Circum-Rescue Collapse

1-10-1 Principle

• 1 minute to get your breathing under control

• 10 minutes of meaningful movement

• 1 hour before you become unconscious due to hypothermia

If shelter or transport cannot be reached within 30 minutes, shelter should be constructed as soon as possible and wet clothing removed.

Resources:

• Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Out-of-Hospital Evaluation and Treatment of Accidental Hypothermia: 2019 Update

• Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Frostbite: 2019 Update

• Baby It's Cold Outside - Hypothermia Awareness and Educational Program