Inflatable Kayak Blog

Hypothermia is another condition to be aware of when paddling your hard shell, inflatable or folding kayak in cold weather. Hypothermia is a decrease in the body’s core temperature to a level at which normal muscular and cerebral functions are impaired. There are two kind of hypothermia, Sudden and Long Onset.

Both are like the title implies. Sudden Onset occurs from rapid chilling from exposure to cold water such as falling through thin ice, and Long Onset develops more slowly even if you are not submersed in the freezing water. Wind, wetness from rain and sea spray or even perspiration can lead to hypothermia.

To preserve core heat, the body will slow the circulation of blood to its extremities, so they get cold first. As the core temperature drops below 97° shivering usually starts and you might feel your hands and feet are cold, even though they are properly covered. Even this early stage of hypothermia is very dangerous as the loss of dexterity can make it difficult to do ordinary tasks. Other signs and symptoms to be aware of are: stumbles, mumbles, bumbles and grumbles which will show changes in motor coordination and levels of consciousness. At any stage of hypothermia, the person should be warmed slowly. With anything other than mild hypothermia, there is a danger in warming a person from the outside. When the body’s surface gets warm, circulation will increase, causing greater cooling of the core and more severe hypothermia. Warm the core slowly by applying dry heat to the large surface circulatory areas including head, neck, chest and groin but try not to warm the extremities.