With the SafetyRaft®, you’re ready for any cold water emergency, providing you with the ultimate lifeline when every second counts.

Defining cold water can be challenging, but it's generally considered to be around or below 21°C (70°F). However, this threshold can vary depending on individual circumstances and the physical condition of the person involved. Many fatal accidents occur during the "out-of-season" months when the water is colder, highlighting the critical importance of being prepared for cold water emergencies.

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When suddenly plunged into cold water, the first dangers you face are panic and shock. The initial shock can put immense strain on the body. Survivors of cold-water accidents often report having the breath knocked out of them upon first contact with the water. If your face is submerged during that involuntary gasp for air, you may inhale water instead. Cold water immersion can also cause total disorientation, with some individuals reporting that they "thrashed helplessly in the water" for thirty seconds or more before regaining their bearings.

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Immersion in cold water can rapidly numb your extremities, rendering them nearly useless. Cold hands can’t fasten the straps of a lifejacket, grasp a rescue line, or hold onto an overturned boat. Within minutes, severe pain begins to cloud rational thought, and if left without rescue and proper first aid, hypothermia sets in, leading to unconsciousness and, eventually, death.

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The body's normal temperature is 37°C (98.6°F) , but shivering and the sensation of cold can start as soon as the body temperature drops to around 35.8°C (96.5°F). Amnesia can begin around 34.4°C (94°F), unconsciousness at 30°C (86°F), and death may occur at approximately 26°C (79°F).

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Without thermal protection, cold water immersion becomes life-threatening immediately. In fact, most people will experience severe cold shock, including a complete loss of breathing control, at water temperatures between 10°C – 15.5°C (50°F – 60°F).

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What to do in the water ?

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Cold water drains heat from your body 32 times faster than cold air. If you fall into the water, your primary focus should be getting out as quickly as possible. Keeping your body out of the water is the most effective way to combat hypothermia.

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Life rafts are the best option for survival - they keep you out of the water and offer shelter and essential equipment. That’s why our SafetyRaft® is vital for surviving a fall into cold water. It provides the protection you need to stay out of the water and increase your chances of survival.