From cold water
0-20 degrees Celsius
Keep clothes on (head out of water)
Tread water if you’re not wearing a PFD
Get into HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Position)
Huddle/tuck legs up to chest
From hot water
40 degrees - hot tubs
Get out, lay down and call for help
From good water conditions
20-25 degrees
Tread water or do motionless float
If clothing is heavy and you’re not wearing a PFD, remove clothes and use them to help you float
Undertows
Backwash currents that occur when the water of an incoming wave flows out from a beach
Next incoming wave will carry you to shore
-Greater the beach slope = stronger undertow
Rip-currents
Water accumulates near the shore, usually where two sand bars break in the surf line, the water gets rushed back out
- Swim parallel to the shore
- Dark, muddy water = indicator
From river, hydraulic currents
Turn onto your back and stay on the surface
Go feet first down the current and move diagonally to get out to the shore
Hydraulic -> usually occur near low head dams, swim under the water AWAY from the dam and then try to move diagonally to the shore
