Cold water and life jacket guide
Dress for the water temperature, not the air. Wear your life jacket; it only works if it's on.
Cold water
- Cold shock is the first danger: a gasp and fast breathing in the first minute. The NWS says it can be as dangerous in 50 to 60°F water as in 35°F water, and gasping can start in water as warm as 77°F.
- Hypothermia starts when your core drops below 95°F, usually after 30 minutes or more in cold water. Most cold-water deaths happen before that, from cold shock and losing the use of your arms and legs.
- If you go in with a life jacket, hold the H.E.L.P. position (knees to chest, arms crossed) alone, or huddle with others, to slow heat loss.
Check water temperature on our river conditions pages before you go.
Source: National Weather Service: cold water hazards and safety.
Life jackets: what the labels mean
| Label | What the Coast Guard says it's for |
|---|---|
| Level 50 | Competent swimmers near shore, or with help close at hand. |
| Level 70 / Type III | Help or rescue close at hand, or near shore. Supports a conscious person upright; won't turn you face-up. |
| Level 100 | May have to wait for rescue, in sheltered water. |
| Level 150 / Type I or II | Turns most unconscious people face-up. |
| Type V | Restricted uses printed on the label. |
- Federal law: children under 13 must wear one while the boat is underway; states may set other ages.
- Inflatables aren't for weak or non-swimmers, and only count if the cylinder is full and indicators are green.
- Sizes go by weight: infant up to 33 lb, child 33 to 55 lb, youth 55 to 88 lb, adult over 88 lb.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard: Life Jacket Wear · 33 CFR Part 175.
States with extra wear rules we verified
| Connecticut | From October 1 through May 31, everyone on a manually propelled vessel (kayak, canoe, rowboat, paddleboard) must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. |
|---|---|
| Kansas | A readily accessible life jacket for each person; children 12 and under must wear one. |
| Kentucky | Boats 16 feet and over must carry a throwable PFD, except canoes and kayaks. Manually propelled vessels must carry a white light to show in time to avoid a collision. |
| Massachusetts | From September 15 through May 15, canoeists and kayakers must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. |
| New Mexico | Everyone in a canoe, kayak or raft must wear a life jacket at all times. Vessels must also carry a whistle or horn, and navigation lights at night. |
| New York | From November 1 through May 1, everyone on a pleasure vessel under 21 feet, including canoes and kayaks, must wear a life jacket while underway. |
| Texas | Paddle craft must carry a Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket for each person. |
Other states: federal rules apply, and your state may add more. See your state.
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