Flotation Suits & Coats
Without any special protection it is estimated that a person will lose consciousness after one half, to one hour in below 10ºC water. With a flotation suit you could stay conscious up to two hours in the same water. That is more than twice the amount of crucial time that may be needed waiting for rescue to arrive. A cold water shock from falling into water below 10ºC can cause swim failure or even heart attack. A flotation suit will slow down the ingress of water into the clothing, and so control the rapid cooling of the body.Most accidents occur close to the shore, or in harbour. Cold water shock is a more frequent cause of death than hypothermia.
