[fatlazyless]

Surviving a fast plunge off a small boat into icy cold 37-degree water depends a lot on surviving the first two minutes without becoming totally panicked. A tight fitting foam pfd that covers your chest will help to keep your chest area warm enough to survive. If you can remain as non-panicked as possible and keep your mouth closed for the FIRST TWO MINUTES without swallowing water into your airway you can survive the panic and severe pain of the icy cold for another 30-minutes or longer.

On a New England lake a loud whistle attached to your pfd where it can be easily used can be very helpful for attracting attention.

Your legs, arms, feet and hands will all freeze but your core body area will continue to keep you alive with the insulation and flotation provided by a traditional low-priced foam pfd that covers the chest area and fits tight to help keep the heat in.

A tight fitting foam pfd is good to keep you from getting too panicked as well because it keeps you somewhat warm for maybe 30-minutes.

I'm thinking the victim at Leavitt Beach area in Meredith was sitting on the rear seat of his canoe as opposed to kneeling on his knees in the center of the canoe which makes it much more stable in windy condition. Kayaks are usually a lot more stable than a canoe for this reason.