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Hypothermia is one of those discreet risks thought to be reserved for northern latitudes. In reality, it affects all sailing activities exposed to wind, humidity and cold water. Understanding the mechanisms and consequences of hypothermia can help prevent the situation from getting out of hand.
When the cold takes over the body
Hypothermia corresponds to a drop in body temperature due to exposure to the cold, either in the air or in the water. At sea, the apparent wind, sea spray and humidity accelerate heat loss. It's not just the limbs that are at risk. When the brain and heart are exposed to excessively low temperatures, the prognosis can be life-threatening.
On board, even a slight hypothermia is enough to disrupt coordination, decision-making and maneuvering. And in navigation, losing lucidity often means making more mistakes.
Signs to alert the crew
The first symptoms are often trivial. Chills appear, hands become clumsy, fatigue sets in. Then comes confusion, memory loss and difficulty understanding speech. At this stage, the person is not always aware of his or her condition and may minimize the situation.
When shivering diminishes or ceases, the signal is wrong. It indicates that the body can no longer defend itself effectively against the cold. The victim may appear uninhibited, as if drunk, refuse help and become unable to protect himself or herself.
Why hypothermia concerns all sailing
Even moderate hypothermia reduces crew efficiency. A less attentive helmsman, a crew member slow to react, a poorly anticipated maneuver, and an accident is never far away. Whether cruising or convoying, cumulative fatigue, lack of sleep and inadequate nutrition further increase the risk.
And in the case of a man overboard, the question no longer even arises. After 10 to 15 minutes of exposure, the victim is always considered to be hypothermic, whatever the water temperature.
Preventing rather than enduring the cold
Prevention starts with equipment. Warm clothing, worn in layers, insulates the body while limiting perspiration. The most sensitive areas are the head, neck, armpits, sides of the torso and groin. A dry suit or survival suit provides a real safety boost when conditions deteriorate.
Crew management is just as important. Alternating watches, allowing sufficient rest time, eating and drinking regularly without alcohol, limiting seasickness and monitoring everyone's general condition are all part of the basic reflexes. A crew trained in man-overboard maneuvers and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) saves precious time in the event of an emergency.
Cold water, staying above water at all costs
In the event of a disaster, the priority is to stay on board as long as possible. If evacuation becomes unavoidable, the objective is clear: limit exposure to water. Water cools the body about twenty times faster than air. Once inside the raft, you need to isolate yourself from the cold, stay close together and conserve your survival gear.
If a fall into the water is unavoidable, wearing a lifejacket, keeping your clothes and shoes on, protecting your head and keeping movement to a minimum will help slow heat loss. Unnecessary swimming accelerates cooling and depletes energy reserves.
First aid, a matter of patience
When faced with a hypothermic victim, the temptation to quickly re-warm is strong. But this is a classic mistake. Sudden rewarming with a hot shower or bath can cause serious cardiac problems. The body must warm up slowly.
The victim must be handled gently, placed horizontally, kept dry and isolated from the cold, including the head and neck. Wet clothing is removed and, if necessary, cut away. The use of warm water, pleasant to the skin, on the central areas of the body helps to stabilize temperature without causing shock.
In severe or critical cases, medical assistance by radio becomes indispensable. A hypothermic victim may appear lifeless. As long as the body has not been rewarmed, we must always assume that survival is still possible.
Understanding hypothermia means not giving in to worry. It means accepting that the cold is part of the sea, just like the wind and the swell. And, as is often the case in sailing, it's the simple reflexes, learned and repeated, that make the difference when the going gets tough.
