Over the years, many of the fatal boating accidents in this country have occurred in the "out-of-season" months when the water is cold. It is the prepared boater who can handle the situation when suddenly thrust into cold water.

How prepared would you be? Test your knowledge on how much you know, it just may add to your survival.

1. Cold water can best be defined as water temperatures around and below:

• A. 32 degrees Fahrenheit
• B. 40 degrees Fahrenheit
• C. 50 degrees Fahrenheit
• D. 70 degrees Fahrenheit

2. The "exposure" involved with cold water cases is commonly referred to as:

• A. Amnesia
• B. Hypothermia
• C. Shivering
• D. Thermal shock

3. When boating on cold water dressing properly is important. The best clothing for the cold is (and please be certain to review the Publisher's Note regarding comments received on this question):

• A. A single heavy layer of tight clothing
• B. A single layer of loose bulky clothing
• C. Several layers of light clothing
• D. Anything as long as you’re comfortable

4. The extra precaution of wearing your life jacket when boating on cold water is supported by:

• A. It is extremely difficult to put on a device in cold water
• B. The life jacket provides extra insulation
• C. It is easier to spot an individual wearing a life jacket in the water
• D. All of the above

5. The survival time in cold water depends largely on two factors:

• A. Water temperature and air temperatures
• B. Water temperature and the behavior of the victim
• C. Swimming ability and size of the victim
• D. Drown proofing and treading

6. The most effective technique to help increase survival time in cold water is:

• A. Holding the inner side of the upper arms tight against the side of the chest. With thighs pressed together and raised to close off the groin. Head out of the water.
• B. Continuous movement of arms and legs in various patterns keeping the head high out of the water
• C. Restful floating, lungs full of air, face in the water periodically lifting head for a breath of air
• D. Swimming in a small circle to keep warm

7. The first sign of cold water exposure is:

• A. Unconsciousness
• B. Uncontrollable shivering
• C. Amnesia
• D. Muscular rigidity

8. Treatment for hypothermia depends on the condition of the person but in less severe cases general rules are:

• A. Get the person out of the water and protect from further heat loss you can reward with warm drink such as coffee, hot chocolate, or soup if the person is conscious and shivering
• B. Massage the extremities vigorously
• C. Give the victim whiskey or another strong alcoholic drink
• D. Force the person to run or exercise.

Answers to "The Cold Water Test"

1. (D) 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This one is difficult even for the experts to define. It is estimated to be around and under the temperature of 70 degrees F. However, this could vary in each case due to the specific circumstances and physical conditions of the person involved.

2. (B) Hypothermia. Hypothermia is coined from two Greek words, hypo (low) and therm (heat). Hence the term hypothermia (low heat) herein, applying to decreased body heat.

3. (C) Several layers of light clothing. This will offer better protection than a single heavy layer. Wool, pile and polypropylene provide warmth even when wet. Wear a hat! We lose 50% of our heat through our head.

(Publisher's Note: We've received a lot of comments on the answer to this question published by the National Safe Boating Council and feel compelled to summarize those comments here...while layering light clothing is effective protection from cold air, the only acceptable protection from cold water comes from either a wetsuit or drysuit combined with a Coast Guard approved Life jacket. Keep in mind the inital shock from sudden immersion in cold water will greatly hinder your ability to don a Life jacket -- just one more reason to wear your Life jacket at all times!)

4. (D) All of the above. All the answers given are excellent reasons for wearing a life jacket and could save your life. Water doesn’t need to be cold to wear a life jacket. Life jacket affords us protect from drowning anytime we are on the water.

5. (B) Water temperature and the behavior of the victim. This is based on heat loss. The colder the water the greater the absorption of body heat. In addition, if movement is kept to a minimum this reduces the amount of heat generated and lost from the body. Therefore, one could in fact lengthen their survival time by behavior, which involves little movement.

6. (A) Holding the inner side of the upper arms tight against the side of the chest. With thighs pressed together and raised to close off the groin region. This method is called H.E.L.P. (Heat Escape Lessening Posture). It protects the regions of the body which are the critical areas for heat loss, the side of the chest and groin area (the head also has a high rate of heat loss but it is held up out of the water). One must be wearing a life jacket for this to work properly.

7. (B) Uncontrollable shivering. Shivering is a reflex mechanism used by the body to produce heat.

8. (A) Get the person out of the water and protect from further heat loss you can rewarm with warm drink such as coffee, hot chocolate, or soup if the person is conscious and shivering. Never give alcohol. Do not massage the arms or legs, it could complicate matters by circulating extremely cold blood to the heart. For this same reason, do not force the person to exercise. Their heart is in a sensitive condition.

I hope you did well on this cold water test. It is basic information that should be known by all sportspersons who use boats during the cold water months. Know the dangers of cold water and prepare yourself accordingly.