Water Survival Tips

• Use your Personal Flotation Device! Sudden immersion in cold water can cause rapid breathing, heart stoppage, and other problems that result in helplessness and drowning. Wearing a PFD is the only defense. A properly fitted and correctly used PFD can save your life.
• Know how to swim. If you don't know how, learn! Sign up or a swimming course today if you need to learn how to swim, or want to improve your skills. Contact your local YMCA, YWCA, or recreation department for information.
• Stay with the boat. Shore is usually more distant than it appears. In most capsizings, chances of survival and being found are better if you stay with the boat (even if you are a good swimmer).
• Do not disrobe in panic. It's a common belief that someone dressed in heavy clothing will sink immediately if they fall overboard. This is not true. Air trapped in clothing provides considerable flotation. Bending the knees will trap air, providing additional flotation. To stay afloat, remain calm, do not thrash about or try to remove clothing or footwear, this leads to exhaustion and increases the loss of air that keeps you afloat. Keep your knees bent, float on your back, and paddle slowly to safety.
• Prevent hypothermia. Hypothermia is the loss of body heat, and it can be deadly. Your clothing will help trap heat. Avoid moving as much as possible. If several people are in the water, huddle together so you can conserve heat. If your boat capsizes it will likely float on just below the surface. To reduce the effects of hypothermia get out of the water as much as possible. If you can't get in the boat, a PFD will enable you to keep your head out of the water. This is important because about fifty percent of body heat loss is from the head.