Hypothermia occurs when more heat escapes from your body than your body can produce. Signs and symptoms of hypothermia may include gradual loss of mental and physical abilities. Severe hypothermia can lead to death. Hypothermia usually occurs gradually. Often, people aren't aware that they need help, much less medical attention. Severe hypothermia eventually leads to cardiac and respiratory failure, then death. Factors contributing to your risk of hypothermia in cold water include the temperature of the water and the length of time you spend in it. Rescue time is crucial when a person accidentally falls into cold water. Chances of survival are affected by how cold the water is: The colder the water, the less the chance of survival. Your body can cool down 25 times faster in cold water than in air. Water temperature, body size, amount of body fat, and movement in the cold water all play a part in cold water survival. Small people cool faster than large people and children cool faster than adults.

Hypothermia Symptoms: Common signs to look for are shivering, which is your body's attempt to generate heat through muscle activity, Stumbling, mumbling, fumbling, cranky behavior. These behaviors may be a result of changes in consciousness and motor coordination caused by hypothermia. Other hypothermia symptoms may include, slurred speech, slow rate of breathing, cold, pale skin, fatigue. The severity of hypothermia can vary, depending on how low your core body temperature goes.

As core temperature drops lower than 89.9°F (32.2°C), shivering stops and oxygen consumption begins to drop. The victim may be in a stupor. The heart rhythm may become irregular.

At temperatures below 82.4°F (28°C), reflexes are lost and cardiac output continues to fall. The risk of dangerously irregular heart rhythms increases, and brain activity is seriously slowed. The pupils are dilated, and the victim appears comatose or dead.
Prevention: Prepare well before embarking on any cold weather activities. Always layer, with wicking and breathable fabrics. Wool absorbs up to 30% of its weight in water while still maintaining its insulating value. Wool is also breathable, light-weight and gives good freedom of movement. Wool is a natural fiber that is renewable. Ssynthetic fibers won’t absorb moisture, but rather allow the water to radiate away from your body, keeping you more comfortable as you generate heat while paddling, rowing, fishing. Neoprene is a closed cell rubber material that is an excellent insulator. It also offers impact protection as well as extra body flotation. Thicker neoprene will be warmer but more restrictive to your body movements. Remember putting a layer under your neoprene may retard it's ability to insulate. Always add a layer on the top not under.

• Make sure you are conditioned physically with adequate nutrition and rest.
• Protect the torso, which shelters the "core" of the body.
• Protect your head, hands, and feet.
• Travel with a partner.
• Wear multiple layers of clothing, loosely fitted. Cover the head, wrists, neck, hands, and feet and try to remain dry.
• In an emergency, drink cold water rather than ice or snow.
• Be wary of wind and wet weather because they increase the rate of heat loss.
• Hypothermia does not only occur in extremely cold water. It can, and does, occur even in the warmer waters.

The chart below is a reference and not an exact science.

Treatment: Hypothermia consists of drying, sheltering, and gradually warming the person. While blankets help a person retain body heat, they are not sufficient to treat hypothermia. In the field, a mildly hypothermic person can be effectively rewarmed through close body contact from a companion and by drinking warm, sweet liquids. American Red Cross offers First Aid and CPR classes we highly recomend everyone takes and keep thier card current.