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cold water safety

Devoted sailors know that the sport's not just for the summer; however, if you plan on hitting the water on a blustery winter day, you should bone up on cold-water survival strategies in case you find yourself overboard. Make no mistake: cold water's deadly; according to this article, an average adult has a mere 50% chance of surviving a 50-yard swim in 50-degree Fahrenheit water. At the link above, you'll find useful suggestions for increasing the odds of surviving cold-water exposure, such as keeping all your clothes on and protecting your heat-loss zones. If you plan on riding the waves during the chilly months, you should print out these tips and keep them aboard.

Mon, 27 Dec 1999 08:13:57 -0800