Hypothermia -

Know the Facts! It could save your life!

If You Fall In the Water:  To swim or not to swim?

Swimming is an option but this leads to faster heat loss and exhaustion, even a strong swimmer would not be able to swim more than one kilometre in calm water. Cramp and hypothermia develop more quickly, usually a victim becomes semiconscious and is likely to drown.

Swimming increases heat loss (increase by 35-50%) and is not recommended if you are more than one kilometer away from shore, adopt a heat conserving strategy (help or huddle) instead. Consider your circumstances carefully before deciding to swim, is there a favorable current to assist you etc..

Drown proofing and treading water also lead to rapid heat loss, avoid if possible, wear a PFD! Do not remove clothing or shoes, they provide insulation (a jacket can trap air and assists floating).

In the huddle position, keep close together and still - to keep colder water out. The huddle helps small children survive longer! 

 1. If alone assume HELP Position-Heat Escape Lessening Position/ Fetal Position Arms close to sides of the chest, legs crossed & pulled up closing the groin area.

 2. If with others assume HUDDLE Position

3. Move about only enough to keep head and neck above the surface

4. Keep clothing on until rescued


Hypothermia Symptoms include:

  • Uncontrollable fits of shivering
  • Vague, slow, slurred speech
  • Memory lapses, or incoherence
  • Immobile, fumbling hands
  • Frequent stumbling
  • Drowsiness
  • Apparent exhaustion

    • First Aid:

  • Get medical attention
  • Move to warm area/Find Shelter
  • Keep legs higher than head
  • Remove all wet clothing

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    If You Fall In the Water:

    To swim or not to swim?

    Swimming is an option but this leads to faster heat loss and exhaustion,even a strong swimmer would not be able to swim more than one kilometre in calm water. Cramp and hypothermia develop more quickly, usually a victim becomes semiconscious and is likely to drown. Swimming increases heat loss (increase by 35-50%) and is not recommended if you are more than one kilometer away from shore, adopt a heat conserving strategy (help or huddle) instead. Consider your circumstances carefully before deciding to swim, is there a favorable current to assist you etc.. Drown proofing and treading water also lead to rapid heat loss, avoid if possible, wear a PFD! Do not remove clothing or shoes, they provide insulation (a jacket can trap air and assists floating). In the huddle position, keep close together and still - to keep colder water out. The huddle helps small children survive longer!



    1. If alone assume HELP Position-Heat Escape Lessening Position/ Fetal Position Arms close to sides of the chest, legs crossed & pulled up closing the groin area.

    2. If with others assume HUDDLE Position

    3. Move about only enough to keep head and neck above the surface

    4. Keep clothing on until rescued


    Hypothermia Symptoms include: 1. Uncontrollable fits of shivering 2. Vague, slow, slurred speech 3. Memory lapses, or incoherence 4. Immobile, fumbling hands 5. Frequent stumbling 6. Drowsiness 7. Apparent exhaustion First Aid: 1. Get medical attention 2. Move to warm area/Find Shelter 3. Keep legs higher than head 4. Remove all wet clothing 5. Wrap in dry blankets, warm sleeping bag or dry clothes 6. Cover the head 7. If conscious, give small amounts of warm fluids (not hot) 8. Do NOT rub skin or extremities An old Emergency Room adage: A person is never dead until they are warm and dead. This means that even if you don't have vital signs you assume the person is still alive and treat them for hypothermia.

    Thanks to Hypothermia.org