THE AIR’S GETTING WARMER, BUT THE WATER’S STILL COLD, WARNS THE ODNR DIVISON OF WATERCRAFT
COLUMBUS, OH - Spring is here and the weather is getting warmer, but state watercraft officials remind boaters not to be fooled by warmer temperatures because the water is still bitter cold and can be hazardous to anyone who becomes suddenly immersed.
“A common mistake is that boaters and anglers dress according to the air temperature when they should be most concerned with dressing for the water temperature,” said Ken Alvey, chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft. “Spring boating can be a great way to get out and enjoy spring, but boaters need to take special caution and dress accordingly.”
According to Alvey, water takes away the body’s heat at a rate 25 times faster than air of the same temperature. As a consequence, a person dressed in denim jeans and a cotton sweatshirt on a 60-degree spring day, has a much higher risk of hypothermia if they become immersed in 45-degree water when compared to someone who has prepared for such a mishap.
While Ohio’s daytime high temperatures vary widely, water temperatures are steady and slow to rise throughout the spring. Most inland water temperatures during March average in the 30s and increase into the 40s and 50s through April into May.
Here are some tips on how to dress appropriately for boating and fishing in cold waters. A variety of man-made and natural fabrics act as good insulators from the cold.
- Start with thin layers of polypropylene close to the skin and add fabrics that help retain body heat when wet, such as wool or synthetic fleece. Cotton garments such as denim jeans and cotton sweatshirts are poor insulators.
- A variety of products provide excellent wind and water protection and include parkas, rain suits, paddling gear and nylon jackets. Gore-Tex and some of the new microfibers are ideal.
- The final layer for any cold-water activity, particularly boating and wader fishing, should include a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. In addition to providing immediate buoyancy, a life jacket also serves as a good insulator. A float coat serves as an excellent alternative to a life jacket.
Remember that each boating and fishing outing presents a different combination of weather and water conditions. Choosing the right clothing and being adequately prepared can help reduce the severity of accidents on the water.
For additional boating safety tips, visit the ohiodnr.com or call the ODNR Division of Watercraft toll-free at 1-877-4BOATER.