Chichester Yacht Club Magazine January 2018 | Page 15

Your breathing rate can
change uncontrollably,
sometimes increasing as
much as tenfold, and the
sudden cooling of the skin
by cold water also causes
an involuntary gasp for
breath.
All these responses
contribute to a feeling of
panic, are more difficult to
manage if no lifejacket is
worn and the casualty is
struggling to stay afloat,
increasing the chance of
inhaling water directly into the lungs.
This can all happen very quickly; it only takes
half a pint of sea water to enter the lungs for a
fully grown man to start drowning. You could
die if you don't get medical care immediately.
Wearing a lifejacket allows you to weather the
Cold Water Shock and prolong your survival
long enough for you to be recovered, either by
your own boat or by the rescue services.
How can you minimise the risk?
If you enter the water unexpectedly:
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►
►
Take a minute. The initial effects of cold
water pass in less than a minute so don’t
try to swim straight away.
Relax and float on your back to catch your
breath. Try to get hold of something that
will help you float.
Keep calm then call for help or swim for
safety if you’re able.
Has anyone seen this radio? officers’ cupboard.
One of our ICOM M71 radios has been
missing for some time. The radio in question has serial
number 0609536 and may have a
CYCLONE label on it.
If you have seen it, can you contact us so
we can re-unite it with its friends in the race
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