UVRF Sculling Safety Guidelines

Cold Water

Flipping into water colder than 60F can be very dangerous and potentially deadly. Recent research has shown that “cold shock” is more of a risk than hypothermia, can incapacitate even good swimmers, and can lead to drowning within 3 to 5 minutes. The cold shock reaction to sudden immersion in cold water is an involuntary response that can make it difficult or impossible to get into a life jacket or to get back into a boat. Because of this, we strongly recommend that you wear a personal flotation device (“PFD”) when the water is under 60F, and for singles require that one be worn if the water is under 50F. Self-inflating PFD’s are now available that are reasonably comfortable to row in and wearing one eliminates the struggle to get into a conventional PFD once you are in the water.

If you should flip your boat in cold water, immediately inflate or don your PFD. Try to get back into your boat. If this is impossible, do not leave your boat. Try to get as much of your body out of the water and on top of the boat and try to paddle or kick it to shore. Do not try to swim for shore: cold water can lead to swim failure within minutes, even for very strong swimmers.

Water temperature under 50F
(Usually until mid-May, often accompanied by strong currents and floating debris, but may also occur in late fall).

Unless accompanied by a launch:

• Single rowers:
  • Must wear a PFD (self-inflating types are OK), and
  • Must row with a buddy
  
  
• Doubles, pairs, quads, fours:
  • Strongly recommend wearing a PFD (self-inflating types are OK), or
  • Must carry a type 1 or 2 PFD for each rower

Water temperature between 50F and 60F
(Usually mid-May into early June, and late fall)

Unless accompanied by a launch:

• Single rowers:
  • Strongly recommend wearing a PFD (self-inflating types OK), or must carry a type 1 or 2 PFD.
  • Strongly recommend rowing with a buddy
  
  
• Doubles, pairs, quads, fours:
  • Strongly recommend wearing a PFD (self-inflating types are OK), or
  • Strongly recommend carrying a type 1 or 2 PFD for each rower

We recommend that you read the following articles about the dangers of cold water and cold shock.

Cold Shock and Swimming Failure
by Chris Brooks
Sea Kayaker Magazine, February 2008

Survival in Cold Waters : Staying Alive
by Dr. C. J. Brooks
August 24, 2001, TP 13822
A Report Prepared For Transport Canada

Sources for PFD’s

• Mustang Survival- Inflatable Life Jackets
• Stormy Seas - Inflatable Flotation Clothing
• Lifesaving Resources Inc. - Inflatable PFDs
• Inflatable Life Jackets: What to Know Before They Blow - Special Report, Foundation Findings Report #30C - July 2000
  

Use your common sense when assessing your rowing ability and the conditions of the river, particularly those that affect the likelihood of whether you will flip or not. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety.