Levels and Treatment:
Signs of mild hypothermia include goose bumps and shivers, two of the body?s natural mechanisms for increasing metabolism and generating heat. At this stage of hypothermia, you can generally rewarm yourself by getting off the river, changing into dry clothes and doing some sort of physical activity. Warm sweet liquids, a fire, and heat packs will assist rewarming.

Moderate hypothermia occurs when a boater?s core temperature falls below 95 degrees. Signs include confusion, impaired motor skills and judgment, and lessened shivering. These individuals cannot rewarm their bodies without outside assistance. Rewarming of a moderately hypothermic victim must be done slowly to prevent the cold blood which has been shunted to the extremities from further lowering the core temperature. To rewarm, have two people climb inside a sleeping bag with the victim creating a sandwich. A raft turned upside down on top of another also creates a small insulated place in which a number of people can rewarm the victim.

Severe hypothermia occurs when a paddler?s core temperature falls below 90 degrees. The situation may seem hopeless, however, in a hospital setting the victim can sometimes be successfully rewarmed. Severely hypothermic victims often have a weak pulse and shallow respiration. In the case of severe hypothermia, reducing further heat loss and rapid transportation to a hospital is the key.

Prevention:
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Things you can do to prevent hypothermia:

• Eat a good meal before hitting the water. This gives your body the fuel reserves needed for physical exertion as well as to generate body heat.
• Snack and hydrate regularly throughout the day. Warm, sweet beverages provide needed fuel and extra warmth.

• Avoid caffeine and alcohol; both dilate blood vessels, making rewarming more difficult.
• Listen to weather reports, taking into account wind chill factors. Use this information to plan your outing or determine if it might be better to reschedule.
• Wear adequate clothes. This includes layers of non-cotton underwear and waterproof outerwear. Drysuits can minimize the effects of cold water.
• Carry a well-stocked first aid kit complete with a space blanket for on-river emergencies.
• Have a change of dry clothes at the take-out so you can quickly get out of your wet cold river gear.

Hypothermia's onset can be quick, such as following a swim, or slow from prolonged exposure to the cold. By noticing the early symptoms while paddling, you can prevent it from becoming an emergency situation and possibly even save a life.

Special thanks to the following resources: Whitewater Rescue Manual: New Techniques for Canoeists, Kayakers, and Rafters, Charles Walbridge & Wayne A. Sundmacher Sr. 1995. The White-Water River Book: A Guide to Techniques, Equipment, Camping, and Safety, Ron Watters, 1982

The Phat by Perception
Length: 8 feet, 6 inches
Width: 25 inches
Volume: 67 gallons
Weight: 43 lbs.

• Pronounced rocker enhances maneuverability.
• Well-defined chine and tapered volume at bow and stern make it playful.
• No-trip chine for steady eddy catches; slightly rounded bottom for soft landings.

The Gradient by Dagger
Length: 8 feet, 8 inches
Width: 24.5 inches
Volume: 81 gallons
Weight: 40 lbs.

• Recessed deck area for throw rope, bow & stern broach pins.
• Roto-molded I-beam wall.
• Non-trip chines & radical rocker for tight moves and catching micro-eddies.

The RockIt by Prijon
Length: 9 feet, 5 inches
Width: 26 inches
Volume: 72 gallons
Weight: 37 lbs.

• Full chines and wide, flat bottom for exceptional stability.
• Pronounced bow rocker adds agility, aids in resurfacing after big drops & makes boof moves easier.
• Blunt bow minimizes vertical pinning danger.
• Blow-molded with HTP plastic.

• Convex, semi-planing hull.
• Extra width, a gently curved bottom and the time-tested Microbat deck keep the 240 squarely under your hips.
• Increased width & surface area float you higher (so you scrape less), while the flatter hull spreads the hits you do take over a wider area, enabling your boat to last longer.

The Creek 280 by Pyranha

Length: 9 feet, 2 inches
Width: 23.5 inches
Volume: 56 gallons
Weight: 40 lbs.

• Double concave hull allows extra speed, control, & tracking.
• High volume, peaked deck for buoyancy and surfing stability.
• Deliberately blunt ends to absorb impacts.

The Blitz by Necky New for ?99
Length: 8 feet
Width: 23 inches
Volume: 65 gallons

• The Blitz is reported to have good speed and tracking, yet the planing hull is maneuverable and boofs great! Our demo is expected soon.