Surviving Water Emergencies

If you get caught in a storm and your boat swamps or capsizes, stay with the boat. Most small boats will float even when upside down or filled with water. Signal passing boats by waving a bright cloth or raising an oar if one is available.

Placing an oar under your back and shoulders and another under your legs can help you float. If decoys are in reach, stuff them inside your jacket.

Chest waders and hip boots also will help you stay afloat.

• If in chest waders, trap air in the waders by bending your knees and raising your feet. Lie on your back.
• If in hip boots, trap air in the boots by bending your knees. Lie on your stomach.

Equip your boat with a means for re-entry (ladder, sling, etc.) to use if you should fall into the water.

Hypothermia

When you fall into chilly water, there’s a risk of hypothermia—your body temperature can drop to a fatal level quickly. To help you retain as much heat as possible, assume the HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) position: pull your knees to your chest and keep your elbows close to your sides.

If two or more people are in the water, using the huddle system will help retain body heat and increase survival time by as much as 50%. Place your arms around your partners and link legs.

Read more about the symptoms and treatment of hypothermia in the section called Coping with Extreme Weather.

HELP
Heat Escape Lessening Posture

Huddle
Retains body heat and increases survival time