Last year in New Jersey, there were two reported cold water boating deaths, and just this past Monday, a New York man lost his life while fishing from a canoe. The 56-year-old man from East Northport was fishing alone in the Round Valley Reservoir in Clinton Township, Hunterdon County when his canoe overturned in 36 degree water. He was not wearing a life jacket and drowned. His body was located in about 70 feet of water by state troopers using side-scan sonar.
Nationally, four times as many boating accidents result in a fatality when the water temperature is 39 degrees or colder. In 2012, New Jersey lost two people in 10 cold water boat accidents (November 1 to April 30) as opposed to five deaths in 118 warm water boat accidents.
Falls overboard are the most common types of fatal boating accidents, and boaters hitting frigid water often involuntarily gasp, taking water into their lungs. They also 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). The best defense against drowning is to wear a properly fitted, United States Coast Guard approved, personal floatation device while boating or taking part in activities on and around the water.
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 “breath” 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.
New Jersey is an active member-State in the Northern Association of Boating Administrators (NABA). Neighboring states, including New York, Pennsylvania, and Delaware are active participants. NABA is encouraging all northern states to enact legislation that would require mandatory PFD wear during the cold-weather months. Many believe that if these proposals were enacted, the number of boating fatalities would be reduced substantially.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission passed a new regulation which took effect November 1, 2012, and states that: all persons shall wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD or life jacket) during the cold weather months from November 1st through April 30th while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe or kayak.
Currently in New Jersey, individuals who are under 13 years of age, individuals who are waterskiing, and operators and passengers aboard personal watercraft are required to wear a PFD, regardless of the season.
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:
U.S. Coast Guard approved.
The appropriate size for the intended user.
Wearable life jackets must be readily accessible. The best life jacket is the one you will wear.
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.
Throwable devices must be immediately available for use.
Always 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 (throwable) 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. In fast moving water, keep your boat pointed downstream. Avoid turning the boat broadside. If you capsize in swift water, stay upstream of the boat; float feet-first downstream on your back until you can swim to shore.
Do not worry about trying to salvage gear. Anything that falls overboard is worthless compared to the value of your life.
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