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Boat and Watercraft Accidents

• One Dies In Lake Padden In Bellingham After Canoe Capsizes
• Drinking Kayakers Capsize In Puget Sound, One Suffers Hypothermia
• Body Washes Onto Beach Grays Harbor County From Boat Accident
• Kittitas County Woman Loses Leg In Water-Skiing Boat Accident
• Man Dies In Lake Washington Boating Accident

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News

• Washington Boat Builder May Be Responsible For Snohomish County Boat Accident...
  Posted on 8/25/2009
• Woman Boater Drowns In Lake Stevens Boating Accident...
  Posted on 7/16/2009
• Ellensburg Woman Loses Lower Leg In Boating Accident...
  Posted on 7/9/2009
• Republic, WA, Teacher Drowns In Lake Roosevelt Boat Accident...
  Posted on 4/9/2009
• Tacoma Boat And Kayak Collision Leaves Boy In Critical Condition...
  Posted on 3/23/2009

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Boat and Watercraft Accidents

• Boat Accidents And Hypothermia | Washington Boat Accident Injury Lawyer
• Common Causes of Capsizing Boats | Preventing Boat Capsizing | Washington State Boat Accident Lawyer
• What To Do If Your Boat Capsizes | Washington State Boat Accident Attorney

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Boat Accidents And Hypothermia | Washington Boat Accident Injury Lawyer

This week in our Washington State boat accident injury blog, we brought you the story of two men who capsized in their kayaks in Puget Sound. While both could swim and both were wearing life vests, even a few hours in the chilly January waters was enough to put the men in danger of hypothermia.

Hypothermia, a condition where your body’s core temperature drops to dangerous levels, is a common threat especially in the often-cold waters off of the Washington coast. Hypothermia’s symptoms start with shivering, teeth chattering, numbness, and mental confusion. Moderate hypothermia symptoms include trouble with muscle movement, a warm sensation, trouble seeing, and fatigue. Severe hypothermia can lead to low blood pressure, low heart rate, and low respiratory rate. Even moderate hypothermia requires hospital treatment. Even water that is not very cold (50 degrees) can lead to a hypothermia death in as little as an hour.

Hypothermia is treated with rapid rewarming and IV fluids.

The best action you can take to prevent hypothermia while boating is to wear appropriate clothing. The kayakers involved in last week’s boating accident were not wearing wetsuits, which are designed to protect against cold water situations. Life jackets can also significantly reduce the threat of hypothermia as long as exposure times are limited. Drinking alcohol before entering the water speeds up the hypothermia process.

Perhaps the best way to avoid hypothermia is to understand all aspects of boat safety and avoid a capsizing incident. In addition telling a friend or family member where you are going and when you should be home will help rescuers find you quickly and efficiently in the case of a boat accident.

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