Today’s Topic: Physical Incapacitation. Physical incapacitation is when you’ve become physically helpless in the water because you can no longer control your arms, legs, hands and feet. This happens in 10 minutes in waters of 50 to 60 degrees.
When cold water cools your muscles and nerves:
- You become progressively weaker.
- You become exhausted more rapidly.
- Your hands become numb and useless.
- Your arms and legs stop working.
What this means:
- Unable to self-rescue.
- Unable to assist other people who try to help you.
- Swimming failure.
- Unable to position your back to the waves.
- Greatly increased risk of drowning.
In these conditions, wearing a lift jacket will help you stay afloat until help arrives.