The Threat of Hypothermia
December 10, 2008
Hypothermia is a word that many associate with exploring the highest snow-covered peaks of the planet, but in fact this wintertime malady is very common in one of three degrees of severity. Hypothermia is in fact a condition that will cause death whenever the body’s core temperature drops by only 12.6 degrees, from the normal 98.6 degrees to 86 degrees. This can occur in 50 degree water after one hour, and as little as 15 minutes in freezing water.
The Facts
The U.S. Coast Guard promotes the use of life vest with the 50/50/50 rule, which states that if someone is in 50 degree water for 50 minutes, they have a 50 percent chance for survival if they are wearing a life vest. If you are interested in exactly what physically takes place in your body during each of the three distinct stages of hypothermia, you can use the vast information resource of the Internet to access the knowledge of mankind, or just click on one or both of these links for the real lowdown http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothermia http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/hypocold.shtml
Bass fishing, like no other sport in the world, is a sport that has no off-season for a lot of folks, and to me nothing is more rewarding than to physically be out in the elements of nature, and experience our world with all of the senses, while matching wits with the largemouth bass.
In the northern tier of North America, where some lakes ice over until late March, there are avid bass anglers that use a number of tricks and techniques to fool their favorite fish. These are the type of guys that are thrilled to get their hands on a quality bass for a quick photo opportunity before releasing them to be caught again another day.
A quick study of some of the ice fishing information available on the Internet usually includes discussing the correct clothing for being outdoors in freezing and wet conditions. Just use search phrases like ‘ice fishing for bass’ and you will find plenty of information
I live in Texas which is generally known to be warm and dry, so I certainly can’t speak from experience on how to best dress for fishing through an ice hole. I can tell you though that there is nothing warm and dry about Sam Rayburn Reservoir in the middle of January, where morning temperatures begin at or close to freezing. That is the case on many days throughout the first couple of months of the year, and cold rain and sleet are both common.
Space Age Fibers or Bulky Suits?
Current clothing choices for cold weather outdoor activities include some very modern materials, with new materials and innovations coming seemingly every day. Advances in ‘micro’ thermal insulation in clothing materials means that you can stay more comfortable with fewer and lighter layers than ever before.
I am a serious tournament angler, so I go out in the weather no matter what it’s like. That helps me get ready for upcoming events, but it requires that I pay special attention to how I prepare for the day and my choice of clothing. I have learned over the years that “layering up” is much more effective than trying to use a big heavy item of clothing to keep out the cold and wet.
The popular “100 MPH rain suits” are great for keeping out the wind and water, and unmatched for comfort while driving and riding in a fast boat in the cold. The trade off is that these suits are very bulky and heavy, both of which limit mobility in the very active sport of bass fishing, especially when you have lighter layers of clothing on under them for later in the day when things typically warm up.
In the past I have tried everything from wearing sweats under and over regular clothes, to wearing a one piece zip-up ‘snow’ suit. The extra pairs of shirts and pants made movement difficult which led me to explore the available options in the snow skiing world. The snow suit was ideal since it was lightweight, but down filled and warm, and easy to put on over my regular clothes. But, a potentially fatal experience involving the snow suit led me to look for another solution to my cold weather clothing needs.
Quick Trip to the Danger Zone
I was fishing alone at one of our nearby hot-water lakes, and I was really warm and comfortable in my one piece snow suit. I had a warm toboggan style head covering, wool gloves and waterproof boots with moisture-wicking socks underneath. As I worked my hard jerkbait parallel to the reeds, I was in a rhythm that was easy to duplicate and did not require much attention.
I was out there for fun that day so I was not as intense as I usually was when in the practice mode. Each bass darted from the reeds and snatched the lure and hooked themselves easily, and I enjoyed fight after fight as I went down the bank on the beautiful, but seriously cold winter morning.
After each cast and at the end of my retrieve, I instinctively distanced my next cast ahead and quickly fired it off as soon as the lure left the water from the previous cast. On one cast I had already spotted my next target and on the last few cranks of the bait I looked down into the water just as a fat five-pounder rocketed out of the reeds unexpectedly and grabbed my lure, pulling my new $500 rig right out of my hands in the process.
Without a second thought (or a first thought for that matter) I stepped off the boat and grabbed the rod and reel with my right hand. Oh yeah, that was just about the same time that I realized I was in 12 feet of water. It was amazing how time seemed to slow as I also realized the following:
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I was the only one on the lake,
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I was not wearing my life vest,
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I had effectively pushed the boat away from me as I stepped off,
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I was now much heavier with my water-filled snowsuit and boots.
I managed to sidestroke my way back about ten feet toward the boat and threw my rod and reel up onto the deck. By then I was already seriously tired and it took all the strength I could muster to raise myself on the outboard with the tilt and trim, and then finally drag myself back onto the deck.
The water had been warm (hot water lake) so the shock factor from going in had been at a minimum, but now that I was up in the freezing air I quickly realized that I had a big problem. I had left my dry clothes in the truck at the ramp, which was about five minutes away, and I was already feeling the effects of the bitter cold.
Acting only on instinct, I stripped out of all of the cold, wet clothes and put on the only other piece of clothing I had in the boat - a lightweight rain suit. Thusly attired, I made the cold ride back to the ramp, put on the dry clothes that I had left in the truck, started the engine, and turned on the heater. Finally, I poured myself a cup of coffee from the thermos I had also left in the truck. Thankfully, in few minutes I began to feel that I was out of danger.
I now keep a complete change of clothes in the boat at all times, including shoes. And, I always wear an auto-inflatable PFD when fishing alone. I have also made changes to my choice of cold weather clothing and now wear several layers of modern insulating undergarments that are light and engineered for outdoor activities in the cold.
I top it off with a light, waterproof, and breathable rain suit that I can also wear when it’s not too cold out. I use waterproof and breathable footwear, but I still prefer the wool gloves with the fingers cut out because they keep your hands warm even when they are wet, and with exposed fingers you can still tie knots.
Do a little online research to acquaint yourself with what is new for outdoor wear. But don’t limit yourself to clothes that are advertised just for fishing, because there are plenty of other choices. I am sure that you will find that there is something that is ideal for you, which will make your time in the cold outdoors more comfortable and safer than ever - have fun and stay safe!
About the Author
As a new kid on the block, I would like to take an opportunity to introduce myself and share a little about my background. I’m sure you understand why I am so interested in the outdoor life (fishing in particular) and I know that my upbringing is similar to most of yours in a lot of ways. I have tried to pass on the legacy of this love to my children, and I hope that I can convey to you my sense of true amazement at the wonders of nature through my writings.
I was born in Kingsville and raised in Alice and Corpus Christi in South Texas. My interest in the outdoors and hunting and fishing came from my father and he started me young. Growing up in Alice, I had the privilege of enjoying an environment that was not totally country or city, and I lived within walking distance of heavy woods with a live creek, where I was allowed to hunt and fish and camp with friends on weekends and throughout the summer break.
My father passed away when I was a teen, and my hunting and fishing dropped of a bit during that time. In the late eighties I met some people who introduced me to competitive bass angling, and I’ve been completely “hooked” since. I have served as an officer in several established grass roots bass clubs, and competed regularly in the Bassmaster Weekend Series, BASS Opens, FLW BFL, FLW Stren, and Skeeter Basschamps tournament circuits.
I have enjoyed several wonderful careers in music, engineering, and information technology, as well as being a college level professor. I have lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth Texas area for the last forty years, and been married to the same wonderful girl for nearly twenty-five years now. We share the love of the outdoors and make frequent trips together in our truck camper, whenever possible. She is command central when we are on the tournament trail, and is my most valuable asset and my staunchest unwavering supporter.
I look forward to writing many more articles for Gary Yamamoto’s Inside Line Magazine, and want to thank them for the opportunity to share my perspective on this passion that we share.
Best regards,
Jim Smith