Cold water awareness: How cold is the water and is it really dangerous?

After the lake ice recedes and springtime brings warmer temperatures, you may forget how cold and dangerous the water still is. Water does not warm as quickly as air; it takes weeks to months to warm to safe levels.

Any water colder than 70º F, a temperature that we do not expect until July, is dangerous. Even a brief immersion of less than one minute can lead to cold water shock and death.

Remember:

• Know the water’s actual temperature. Do not forecast water temperature by air temperature.
• Water conducts heat away from your skin four times faster than air, because of its higher density. Your body will become dangerously cold very quickly; your muscles will cool, numb and become unresponsive, leading to hypothermia. Drowning can happen very quickly.
• Below 70º, the colder the water is, the more dangerous it becomes.
• Cold water shock is extreme at 55º and below.

Signs of cold water shock:

• Gasping for breath and rapid breathing
• Sudden spike in heart rate and blood pressure
• Cognitive impairment

What to do if someone is in cold water shock:

• Call 911
• Gradually warm the person in cold water shock – remove their wet clothing and replace them with dry clothes. Cover them with dry blankets. Use a hat and scarf to cover the head and neck.
• Seek contact with dry, warm surfaces that are close to normal body temperature, 98.6º

Safety tips:

• Know the water temperature and stay aware of weather conditions.
• Wear a life jacket if boating.
• Wear a wetsuit or drysuit based on conditions.
• Know the signs of cold water shock and hypothermia.

To learn more, read Cold Water Shock: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention.

by Sean Vaillancourt, Maine State Park Lifeguard Coordinator & Manager of Popham Beach State Park