Community: New Jersey State Police Urge Safety for
Early Season Boaters:http://njsp.org/news/pr031212.html
Hi Chris Allyn,
New Jersey State
Police Urge Safety for Early Season Boaters:
West Trenton, NJ
– New Jersey
has been fortunate this year with unseasonably warm weather. The
spring-like days after a tame winter has already brought anxious
boaters back out onto the frigid waters. Sometimes those adventurers
pay for their enthusiasm with their lives. This year, State Police
have received no notifications of cold-water-related deaths, but in
2010, five fatal boating accidents occurred in March alone in New Jersey.
The off-season months are very dangerous for boaters because of the
increased speed at which hypothermia sets in when mishaps occur.
Despite recent 60+-degree days, water temps on the Delaware River in
the in the Trenton
area are still in the mid 40s. The Atlantic
Ocean is only in the low 50s, and deeper lakes in the
state are about the same.
Falls overboard are the most common types of fatal boating accidents,
and boaters hitting that frigid water quickly find their strength
sapped and their movements slowed down. The human body cools down 25
times faster in cold water than in cold air. Within minutes of being
in the water, people can lose manual dexterity, muscle coordination
and breath control. Even strong swimmers can become drowning victims
without the aid of a personal floatation device (PFD).
A common misconception is that in cold water, hypothermia will kill a
person quickly, regardless of whether the person is wearing a PFD.
While hypothermia is a serious threat to life, most people would
survive sudden immersion into cold water, and ultimately be rescued,
if they were wearing a properly fitted US Coast Guard approved PFD
when the accident occurred.
Be aware of the “Involuntary Gasp Reflex”
When a person is suddenly immersed in cold water, they will experience
an “Involuntary Gasp Reflex” during which the person will immediately
exhale, this will be followed immediately by
an uncontrollable gasping for air. As this occurs the person will
generally panic, and, lacking a floatation aid, may begin to involuntarily
inhale water and drown. In many cases, drowning occurs long before
the effects of hypothermia are experienced. Again, the best defense
is to wear a PFD. While the PFD will not eliminate the gasp reflex,
or the associated discomfort, the PFD will immediately float the
person to the surface, thus allowing the person to be rescued. Some PFDs will even turn an unconscious wearer
face-up, allowing badly injured or exhausted individuals to be
rescued.
Boating Safety Tips
Always wear a life jacket. Life jackets are an essential component to
safe boating. There are many styles of life jackets available for a
multitude of purposes including both extreme heat and cold.
Life Jackets Must Be:
•US Coast Guard approved
•In good and serviceable condition
•The appropriate size for the intended user.
•Wearable lifejackets must be readily accessible.
•You must be able to put them on in a reasonable amount of time in an
emergency (vessel sinking, on fire, etc.).
•They should not be stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed
compartments or have other gear stowed on top of them.
•The best lifejacket is the one you will wear.
•Throw-able devices must be immediately available for use
Prepare properly
•Place your mobile phone in a waterproof plastic bag and keep it on
your person.
•Leave a “Float Plan” with a close friend or relative. A blank float
plan can be found on page 43 of the New Jersey boating Safety manual.
The boating safety manual is available on the Marine Services Bureau
web-site atwww.njsp.org/maritime.
•Check the weather forecast
•Speak with locals to learn about local boating hazards
•Bring charts and maps of the area
•Check all safety equipment including VHF radios, GPS devices,
emergency locator beacons and flares
•Pack a first aid kit robust enough for significant injuries that
could occur while boating/hunting/fishing.
•Pack food and water, even for a short trip.
•Make sure your boat’s drain plug is in place
Dress to protect against hypothermia
Water temperature below 90 degrees is considered cold enough to cause
hypothermia. Body heat is lost 25 times faster in water than in air
of the same temperature. Dress in layers that will trap body heat
even when wet. Wool and Polypropylene are good materials for such
conditions. Avoid cotton fabrics.
Follow all boating regulations
This includes having a wearable, Coast Guard-approved PFD for each
person on board. Vessels that are 16’ in length or greater must also
carry at least one type IV (throw-able) PFD. Check the capacity plate
of the vessel and be certain not to overload or overpower the vessel.
If you should find yourself in the water
Relax and stay with the boat. If your vessel has capsized, try to
climb out of the water and on top of your capsized boat to await
rescue. Do not worry about trying to salvage gear. Anything that
falls overboard is worthless compared to the value of your life.
Additional Maritime Information
For more information about New
Jersey boating laws and regulations, please
visit the New Jersey State Police, Marine Services Bureau website at: www.njsp.org/maritime.
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