In a study of paddlers who died while paddling small craft, researchers found that most accidents occurred in shallow water. Sixty-four percent occurred in rivers and lakes and only two occurred in the Atlantic Ocean. The study also found that most accidents occurred during the day on weekends. Thirty-two percent of deaths occurred between noon and six p.m. Most fatalities occurred during the summer season.
Hypothermia
Paddlers in small craft face a unique set of risks and dangers, including hypothermia. This condition is caused by the body’s loss of heat through immersion in cold water, which can be up to 25 times faster than normal. It is also exacerbated by wind-chill and other factors. If left untreated, hypothermia can cause the body to freeze and cause death.
Older adults and infants are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia. Their decreased muscle mass and poor mobility reduce their ability to produce metabolic heat. Their thin skin also exacerbates their loss of heat through the subcutaneous fat. In addition, age-related cerebral dysfunction and degenerative vascular disease reduce their central heat production. Their mental state may also make them less aware of their environment, increasing their risk for hypothermia.
While paddlers must wear life jackets and use proper clothing, they also must learn proper techniques and avoid alcohol while paddling. The best way to avoid dehydration is to drink plenty of water. Most paddlers fail to hydrate enough. The most common causes of dehydration include excessive sweating and inadequate water intake. When the body is deprived of water, cells become damaged and can die.
Inadequate equipment is another leading cause of paddling deaths. Inexperienced paddlers may panic when their equipment fails, which can lead them to abandon their craft. If paddlers don’t wear proper clothing, they can develop hypothermia and die as a result. Inexperienced paddlers also put themselves at risk of capsizing, which is a leading cause of death in small craft accidents.
The temperature of the water is also a critical factor in survival. Those who are exposed to extreme cold should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Symptoms of hypothermia include intense shivering, mental confusion, blue skin, weak pulse, uncontrolled breathing, and enlarged pupils. If a paddler has these symptoms, he or she must immediately seek medical attention to avoid further complications.
The medical history of the victim will help investigators determine whether the person was at risk for hypothermia. Footprints and other evidence of transportation should be documented. In some cases, the body may have been found outdoors. In other cases, the body could have been found inside a building. If it was inside, conditions must be documented, including fuel, inadequate heating, and thermal insulation. Furthermore, body positioning can give a clue to whether the person was exposed to cold.
Paddlers should always stay close to shore when they are in cold water. Moreover, they should bring a dry bag that contains extra clothing and fire-starting materials, if necessary. Even if the weather is warm, a kayak can be dangerous in the cold water.
People exposed to cold temperatures face a high risk for hypothermia. In addition, people with health problems are more likely to suffer from the condition. The body increases its metabolic rate and oxygen demands when the body’s temperature falls below the normal range. In recent years, drunkenness has been the leading cause of death in paddlers in small craft.
Drowning
According to the US Coast Guard, nearly seventy-five percent of deaths from boating involve paddlers on small craft. These craft are much more vulnerable to accidents and drowning, and a paddler’s risk of drowning is twice that of someone in a larger outboard motor boat. The most common factors contributing to accidents in small boats include alcohol, inattention, and boating rule violations. However, these factors are not the only cause of drowning.
Drowning is the most common cause of death for paddlers in small watercraft, which are more vulnerable to capsizing in large waves. As a result, paddlers should follow proper safety precautions to avoid accidents. The most important safety measure for paddlers in small craft is to wear a life jacket. Many paddlers choose to go out without life jackets, putting themselves at risk for fatal accidents.
Even in calm waters, paddlers should always wear a life jacket. It is also recommended to carry enough water. While there are treatments for dehydration, prevention is still the best medicine. Paddlers should not paddle alone, as they reduce their chances of being rescued by the other paddlers. Instead, paddlers should paddle together as a team, and help each other if necessary.
Small craft are much more dangerous than larger vessels. The risk of drowning is three times greater in small craft, and paddlers are usually exposed to the elements. If a paddler is not properly equipped for emergency situations, the extreme temperature change can cause a paddler to collapse and drown.
Dehydration
While most people are aware of the importance of wearing a life jacket, wearing the right clothing and knowing how to handle their craft, many paddlers do not know about dehydration. This is a very serious problem that can lead to injuries or even death. In fact, a dehydrated paddler is three times more likely to drown than a paddler who is properly hydrated. It is therefore extremely important to drink enough water, especially during the summer months, to avoid dehydration.
Drinking water is the best way to prevent dehydration and to treat it when it occurs. A general recommendation is to drink 6 to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Men should drink about 3 liters of total beverages daily (equivalent to thirteen to fifteen cups) while women need about 2.2 liters a day. A person who is working out may need up to 2.5 cups of liquid during a short session of exercise.
Water should be available at all times. If it is raining, a rain jacket can double as a rain tarp. It is important to carry plenty of water on outings, as kayaks can easily hold enough water for several days in most conditions. It is also vital to know where to find water in an emergency situation.
Failure to carry life jackets and throwlines is another common cause of death for paddlers. Failure to wear a life jacket while paddling in deep water increases the risk of drowning. If you do not carry a life jacket, you risk drowning or becoming entangled in a life jacket.
Lack of experience is another common cause of small craft paddlers’ deaths. Many novice paddlers are unfamiliar with their equipment and do not have the experience to deal with faulty equipment. As a result, novice paddlers are more likely to panic if something breaks or is damaged. They may even abandon the craft completely.
A person’s body’s first reaction to dehydration is to drink more water. The body then reduces the output of urine and increases the heart rate. Meanwhile, blood vessels constrict and the circulation to vital organs is reduced. As a result, blood is routed away from the skin and to the lungs and kidneys.
While paddling, it is important to watch for any floating objects. Large boats can be a potential threat, especially those with motors. In addition, paddlers should also make sure that they have someone with them in case they are stranded in a small craft.