SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-float-first

In the first few minutes after falling into cold water, what should you do?

Float first and get your breathing under control.

  1. Float and get your breathing under control ✔
  2. Swim hard for shore
  3. Hold your breath and dive under

Why: Thrashing or swimming during cold shock wastes energy and can make you inhale water. NASBLA teaches 'float first': lie back in your life jacket, move as little as possible and regain breath control.

Huh, didn't know that: Swimming even 6 to 10 feet while hyperventilating is often impossible, even for good swimmers, says the National Center for Cold Water Safety.

The dad joke
Why did the swimmer bring a pencil to the lake? To draw a breath.
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Sources

  1. NASBLA ESP TR 103-2022, Technical Report: Basic Boating Knowledge Core + Plus Power https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/NASBLA/76594a34-f3a1-4916-95ac-1e9c872170cc/UploadedImages/education/national-education-standards/ESP_TR_ESP_103_Core_Plus_Power_2022_06_01FINAL.pdf
  2. National Center for Cold Water Safety https://www.coldwatersafety.org/cold-shock

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