RYA Safetrx

[Mark-1]

I haven't really got the time or the patience to argue at the moment

Well you posted the RNLI link, which I 100pc agree with. Assuming you also agree with the RNLI link you posted I'm not sure there's anything to argue about.

 

[Caladh]

post deleted - doesn't feel right having to justify my attitude to safety

See car or aircraft seat belts for further information……..

 

[[70521]]

Can you explain it? My understanding is cold water shock is a kind of 'medical' shock. Akin to getting your leg chopped off. I really don't see how "mentally preparing yourself" for it helps at all, any more than Sailors in Nelsons Navy could prepare themselves for having their leg chopped off by the Surgeon.

I think it is rather simple.

I am going for a swim. I know it is going to be cold. I wade into the water and settle down and chat with my pal about the COVID 19 enquiry and how the last PM but one, as of 11/12/2023, was eviscerated by the KC. After a suitable time wade out of the water into dry clothes and a mug of steaming hot coco.

I'm not going for a swim. I am warm and dry in my clothes chatting with my pal in the cockpit about the COVID 19 enquiry. In a fit of laughter about how the last PM but one, as of 11/12/2023, was eviscerated by the KC I roll out of the boat and bang its f**k**g freezing, brain does a fart and I gasp for air as the life jacket inflates. The boat sails off into the distance at 5 knots before my pal crash tacks and heads back. I have no idea how long I am going to be in the water.

It is all a state of mind. The brain works at problem solving better if it knows what to expect and has prepared for it.

How does this work as an analogy for you? You go to a firework display - lots of big bangs and flashes - I am cool it is what I came to see. Out of the blue when you are walking down the street a car backfires <insert any other loud bang here> and you go what the f**k was that.

 

[Mark-1]

I think it is rather simple.

I am going for a swim. I know it is going to be cold. I wade into the water and settle down and chat with my pal about the COVID 19 enquiry and how the last PM but one, as of 11/12/2023, was eviscerated by the KC. After a suitable time wade out of the water into dry clothes and a mug of steaming hot coco.

I'm not going for a swim. I am warm and dry in my clothes chatting with my pal in the cockpit about the COVID 19 enquiry. In a fit of laughter about how the last PM but one, as of 11/12/2023, was eviscerated by the KC I roll out of the boat and bang its f**k**g freezing, brain does a fart and I gasp for air as the life jacket inflates. The boat sails off into the distance at 5 knots before my pal crash tacks and heads back. I have no idea how long I am going to be in the water.

It is all a state of mind. The brain works at problem solving better if it knows what to expect and has prepared for it.

How does this work as an analogy for you? You go to a firework display - lots of big bangs and flashes - I am cool it is what I came to see. Out of the blue when you are walking down the street a car backfires <insert any other loud bang here> and you go what the f**k was that.

100pc happy with that. I thought you were saying the physical effects were mitigated by expecting to go in (ie you don't have a heart attack) and you're saying the psychological effects are mitigated which is obviously true. (...and completely consistent with the helpful and non-hysterical RNLI link.)

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Thank goodness our sailing is more or less free from compulsory interference in the UK. We can all enjoy our water leisure as we see fit.

 

[Mark-1]

Thank goodness our sailing is more or less free from compulsory interference in the UK. We can all enjoy our water leisure as we see fit.

As long as we have the correct anchor.

 

[ShinyShoe]

As for Maydays, I reckon that's what the red button is for. Once that goes off, the CG's got my position and they know what they're looking for.

What asset are they sending, and what are they looking for? Are you on your yacht? Or has someone fallen off it? Are you on fire? Sinking? Has someone had a heart attack. Are they looking for a yacht or a person. Did you sell your yacht 2 months ago and take the radio to your cabin cruiser. (If you are on fire you will be easy to spot no matter what...).

Could someone have pressed the button in error?

If I've got time to chat, great, but I think I'm far more likely to be busy trying not to sink or fry. I won't be sending a mayday because of engine failure.

But people do. So do you want a ILB, ALB, Helo & CRT tasking to them?

A five mile run can be instant death, depending on your health. The fact is the majority of people who go into cold water don't die instantly. The RNLI link even says: "The initial effects of cold water pass in less than a minute".

Hypovolemic shock (blood loss) causes a crash in blood pressure and increased heart rate with difficulty perfusing important organs.

Cold water shock does the same. Your blood vessels expand in the skin because your body is cold. Your heart rate increases due to the sudden fright of hitting the water. The blood gets cold and takes that back to internal organs where is can cause harm.

You also naturally gasp when you hit cold water suddenly. Likely inhaling some water into lungs.

Gradual immersion reduces the risks of all of that. That's why people who swim are fine (usually). The life jacket is there to help with that during the first few minutes, to stop you tiring so fast and keep you floating when you do get tired.

Layers will of course help. An immersion suit even better.


Hell of a thread drift from SafeTrx

 

[Mark-1]

Gradual immersion reduces the risks of all of that.

If you can do gradual immersion you're a better man than me. I have to rip the plaster off, even in summer.

...and when a preschooler in a Kayak downs you off a Paddleboard like a skittle, entry is anything but gradual.