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Conference unifix::sailing

Title:SAILING
Notice:Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:UNIFIX::BERENS
Created:Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2299
Total number of notes:20724

255.0. "hypothermia" by PULSAR::BERENS () Mon Mar 10 1986 21:44

As the following data shows, your life expectancy should you fall
overboard in cold water is frighteningly short. Well before you die of
hypothermia, you will be unable to help in your own rescue. 

                            expected survival time 

water temperature     no protection     lifejacket     survival suit

32.5      deg F           < 15 min     15 - 45 min       18+ hr
32.5 - 40              15 - 30 min     30 - 90 min       22+ hr
40 - 50                30 - 60 min      1 - 3  hr        indefinite
50 - 60                 1 - 2  hr       1 - 6  hr        indefinite
60 - 70                 2 - 7  hr       2 - 40 hr        indefinite

The Coast Guard is well aware of this data -- and it is why they do not 
search very long. I suspect that the water temperature rarely if ever is 
over 60 degrees F in New England waters north of Cape Cod. In the spring 
and early summer the water temperature is less than 50 degrees F. 

Alan


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255.1USHS01::BEAZLEYMon Mar 10 1986 21:059
It takes a quarter of a mile for a large Canadian ferry to turn and approach
an overboard. They will tell you that they have little or no hope of saving
you life because of this. Their record of lives saved is dissapointing. The
CCG ceritifes a PFD that is a combination rain jacket, insulated jacket,
and preserver. They are orange so they can easily be seen. I have never seen
them in this country and where I am it is too warm to use them anyway, but
I would think they would help delay hypothermia to some extent.


255.2CASV05::ETHOMASTue Mar 11 1986 10:4410
Most of the major foul weather clothing lines have "float coats" that make some
claim as to providing some protection against hypothermia. I don't recall if any
of them are certified as PFD's. Anyone out there have any experience with this
type of gear? I recall some of the ads saying that the jackets have harnesses
built right into the jacket.

Ed