Go Back   Winnipesaukee Forum > Winnipesaukee Forums > Boating
Home Forums Gallery Webcams Blogs YouTube Channel Classifieds Calendar Register FAQDonate Members List Today's Posts

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-13-2009, 07:44 AM   #1
Orion
Senior Member
 
Orion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cow Island
Posts: 914
Thanks: 602
Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts
Exclamation Careful out there!

Nice to have an early ice-out, but be very careful as the water temp is only 38 degrees. Falling in would result in only minutes to survive. We always wear PFD's while boating until the water temp reaches 50 degrees. And generally wear them while boating at night as well.
Orion is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2009, 08:41 AM   #2
gtxrider
Senior Member
 
gtxrider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Piscataway, NJ
Posts: 1,030
Thanks: 2
Thanked 46 Times in 24 Posts
Default keep your eyes open

Watch for floating debris following ICE OUT. Logs and pieces of docks float low in the water.
gtxrider is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2009, 08:41 AM   #3
fatlazyless
Senior Member
 
fatlazyless's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 8,662
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 299
Thanked 986 Times in 719 Posts
Default

If you accidentally fall overboard, it seems like it's best to strenuously clamp a hand over your mouth and nose. The plunge into very cold water causes an uncontrolled gasp and inhale after you hit the water.....just at the worst time....gurgle...grgle...gugh.

Someday, I plan to practice this off a deep water dock, just for drills.
__________________
... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!
fatlazyless is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2009, 09:11 AM   #4
Skip
Senior Member
 
Skip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Dover, NH
Posts: 1,615
Thanks: 256
Thanked 514 Times in 182 Posts
Default Not neccessarily true....

Quote:
Originally Posted by fatlazyless View Post
If you accidentally fall overboard, it seems like it's best to strenuously clamp a hand over your mouth and nose. The plunge into very cold water causes an uncontrolled gasp and inhale after you hit the water.....just at the worst time....gurgle...grgle...gugh.

Someday, I plan to practice this off a deep water dock, just for drills.

Actually that is not true.

I have had the unfortunate experience of falling into 40 degree water off a dock being put in several years ago just after ice-out on the Cocheco River down in Dover. I did not notice the cold until well after I had been pulled out of the water and after hypothermia had set in.

What does happen is your muscles become unresponsive and it makes it very difficult to pull yourself up and out of the water. This will be aggravated by the amount and type of clothes you are wearing.

Actually the full effects didn't take place until 10 or 15 minutes after I was out of the water and attempting to remove my clothes and boots.

However one thing I did not notice upon entering the water (and subsequently sinking to the bottom in about 15 feet of water) was the cold. I definitely didn't immediately gasp or take in any water, my only immediate thought was to get back to the surface and get out. I did sink back in twice before the other guys working with me got a firm grip on me and were able to haul me back up on the docks.

When I teach my snowmobile safety classes I always relate this first hand experience to my students when I cover safety while travelling over ice, as there seems to be much misconception out there about the dangers and the actual conditions one faces when they are plunged into extremely cold water.
Skip is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2009, 09:56 AM   #5
Jonas Pilot
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365
Posts: 1,686
Thanks: 1,047
Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts
Default Hypothermia and water temperature.

With the limited boat traffic on the lake this early in the year, and for the next couple of months, it could be some time before some one was able to help some one in the water. Even at 50 degrees you would need assistance within an hour or so before you lose consiousness. Here is a great site for reference.

http://www.ussartf.org/cold_water_survival.htm
Jonas Pilot is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Old 04-13-2009, 11:33 AM   #6
robmac
Senior Member
 
robmac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Nashua,Meredith
Posts: 951
Thanks: 213
Thanked 106 Times in 81 Posts
Default

I have to agree with Skip,having gone into Lake Frances back in 96. After the terror sinks in all I could think of was getting to the surface and to this day still don't know how I got back up on the ice. But as soon as I was out the cold started setting in very quickly, thank god for some guys fishing and a warm bob house and dry cloths.
robmac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2009, 04:10 PM   #7
WINNOCTURN
Deceased Member
 
WINNOCTURN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Moultonboro
Posts: 849
Thanks: 350
Thanked 351 Times in 193 Posts
Exclamation

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jonas Pilot View Post
With the limited boat traffic on the lake this early in the year, and for the next couple of months, it could be some time before some one was able to help some one in the water.
Remember you can only go 45mph, if it's Daytime.
WINNOCTURN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2009, 08:08 PM   #8
islandAl
Senior Member
 
islandAl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Mountonboro
Posts: 200
Thanks: 12
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Also agree with Skip

Years back, in the spring while some ice was still in the bay, I reached to fill a bucket with water; slipped on a piece of ice on the dock and in I went. No big deal, it was only 5 feet deep, WRONG. My feet were not touching the bottom.
My leg and arm muscles contracted, pulling all limbs as close to my body as possible; and only to my good luck, I had curled and came up at the edge of the dock and was able to grab hold. Slowly, very slowly moved to the ladder, fine now, NO. Was barely able to make the muscles move to climb out; like I was moving in slow motion.
Then, removed the jacket and sweatshirt to get the water away from the skin. Water removes heat several times faster than air.
I was lucky as no one in the cottage knew what happened until I sceamed when jumping under the bed covers.
islandAl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2009, 08:59 PM   #9
trfour
Senior Member
 
trfour's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX.
Posts: 3,694
Blog Entries: 3
Thanks: 3,069
Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts
Default Keep The Possibility In Mind....

Fall, Winter and Spring!! Hypothermia can kill whenever....

Link; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothermia
__________________
trfour

Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU!

Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html
trfour is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2009, 06:54 AM   #10
tis
Senior Member
 
tis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,597
Thanks: 742
Thanked 1,430 Times in 992 Posts
Default

It is true, you are paralyzed when the cold hits your muscles. I slipped off the back of the boat as we were bringing it in after ice out. It was freezing and I had on a heavy winter coat with a sweatshirt underneath, boots and heavy socks etc. I just stood there and my better half yelled at me to move, but I couldn't. Finally I realized that I had to, and made myself move. It was not over my head so I wouldn't have drowned but it sure was an experience I will never forget. I always warn people to never go out in a canoe or small craft without WEARING their life jacket when the water is that cold.
tis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2009, 12:25 PM   #11
kchace
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Brookline and Moultonborough NH
Posts: 100
Thanks: 4
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Here is a great and very enlightening video about the effects of cold water immersion:

http://www.boatus.com/videos/default.asp?videoID=324


Ken
kchace is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2009, 11:50 AM   #12
Misty Blue
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 658
Thanks: 121
Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts
Default A good law.

With all of the crack pot laws that Concord can come up with they may take a hint from Massachusetts.

In Mass there is a mandatory PFD rule for conoes and kayaks between Sept. 15th and Mat 15th, Hypothermia season. 'Makes good sense only I would expand it to Class A (<16') vessels.

Misty Blue.

Last edited by Misty Blue; 04-15-2009 at 12:45 PM.
Misty Blue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2009, 12:13 PM   #13
sa meredith
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 986
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 32
Thanked 352 Times in 137 Posts
Default First boat ride

Curious to hear from anyone that has been out already.
Floating debris?? Or Ice chunks???? I would think we are close to being completely ice free.
sa meredith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2009, 12:44 PM   #14
Misty Blue
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 658
Thanks: 121
Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts
Default Pretty good

SA:

Launched the wifes boat yesterday in Center Harbor and went home to Braun Bay by going around the back side of Three Mile Island.

There was very little debris to be seen. 'Kind of shocked me.

Misty Blue.
Misty Blue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2009, 12:47 PM   #15
Lakegeezer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Moultonboro, NH
Posts: 1,666
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 351
Thanked 631 Times in 283 Posts
Default

Totally ice free. No chunks and the winds from earlier in the week must have pushed debris onto southern shores. Nothing floating by. Here we are three days after ice-out and I've only seen one boat - and that was in the distance. This thread is indeed good advice. I was thinking about it as I got in a kayak to fix something on my dock. I put the lifejacket on, but for some reason, it shrunk over the winter and I was only able to fasten two of the four straps.
__________________
-lg
Lakegeezer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2009, 12:52 PM   #16
Pineedles
Senior Member
 
Pineedles's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Moultonborough & CT
Posts: 2,539
Thanks: 1,069
Thanked 665 Times in 366 Posts
Default PFD Messsage

Quote:
Originally Posted by kchace View Post
Here is a great and very enlightening video about the effects of cold water immersion:

http://www.boatus.com/videos/default.asp?videoID=324


Ken
Very interesting video, thanks Ken! A real eye-opener for folks I hope, who are out on the water in under 50 degree water temperatures. I know I'll be adding a PFD to my wardrobe when the lake temperature goes below this level in the future.
Pineedles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2009, 01:24 PM   #17
Sman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 102
Thanks: 3
Thanked 27 Times in 8 Posts
Default video

I haven't been out yet, still under a tarp, but in response to

Quote:
Here is a great and very enlightening video about the effects of cold water immersion:

http://www.boatus.com/videos/default.asp?videoID=324


Ken
Thanks for posting that, interesting info, anyone out early or late in the season, should check it out, never realized how quickly you could loose your ability to keep yourself afloat in cold water vs how long it takes to become hypothermic.
Sman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2009, 10:12 PM   #18
Winnipesaukee
Senior Member
 
Winnipesaukee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 233
Thanks: 14
Thanked 16 Times in 12 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Skip View Post
Actually that is not true.

I have had the unfortunate experience of falling into 40 degree water off a dock being put in several years ago just after ice-out on the Cocheco River down in Dover. I did not notice the cold until well after I had been pulled out of the water and after hypothermia had set in.

What does happen is your muscles become unresponsive and it makes it very difficult to pull yourself up and out of the water. This will be aggravated by the amount and type of clothes you are wearing.

Actually the full effects didn't take place until 10 or 15 minutes after I was out of the water and attempting to remove my clothes and boots.

However one thing I did not notice upon entering the water (and subsequently sinking to the bottom in about 15 feet of water) was the cold. I definitely didn't immediately gasp or take in any water, my only immediate thought was to get back to the surface and get out. I did sink back in twice before the other guys working with me got a firm grip on me and were able to haul me back up on the docks.

When I teach my snowmobile safety classes I always relate this first hand experience to my students when I cover safety while travelling over ice, as there seems to be much misconception out there about the dangers and the actual conditions one faces when they are plunged into extremely cold water.
The instinctive reaction can vary based on several variables. I fell into cold water once and my reaction was similar to yours.

In this weather, NEVER boat alone. On a powerboat, I don't wear a PFD (I guess I should), but always my bright yellow "on-the-water" jacket.


Now sailing a 14-foot dinghy in this weather REALLY stinks!

Just be safe and use common sense.
__________________
Sail fast, live slow!
Winnipesaukee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-17-2009, 07:02 AM   #19
Orion
Senior Member
 
Orion's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cow Island
Posts: 914
Thanks: 602
Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts
Default Must have for boaters

I recommend these types of PFD for anyone ownting a boat for one key reason.... It can be work any time without being cumbersome or interfering with movement and inflates instantly when you enter the water by replaceable CO2 cartridge within. Can also be manually inflated by pulling the lanyard. They are available online from many sources such as Bass Pro Shops, Cabelas, Overtons, etc., generally starting at about $89 and going to $270 for deluxe models. Relatively cheap life insurance. Because it is unobtrusive, it will be worn more often.
Orion is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:04 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.

This page was generated in 0.41354 seconds