Citation

Steinman A, Giesbrecht GG. On Scene 2006; (Fall): 13.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, United States Coast Guard)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Falling into cold water can be life-threatening. There are four stages of cold-water survival, and each presents the survivor with a different challenge. The stages are: 1) cold-shock; 2) functional disability; 3) hypothermia; and 4) post-rescue collapse.

It is important to understand the risks of each stage in order to be properly prepared to survive a cold-water emergency.