NORTHSEAKAYAK - Cold Water Safety Test

After receiving a few questions from fellow paddlers about our survival time in cold water during a distress situation, we wanted to test things out. We often see other paddlers go on the water, poorly dressed and without even a clue that cold water can kill someone within minutes. In our team everybody is aware of that, and so the team members are dressed for immersion. We never had problems, or even cold, when doing exercises during the cold winter periods. During training we do a few rescues, get back in our crafts and paddle further on. That way, we keep up our body temperature. But, we wanted to know what to expect in an emergency situation when we are unable to get back in our craft, or worse, when losing our craft. We don’t want to know what happens when we are well rested, when our undergarment is perfectly dry (no sweat) and when we just begin our training. No, we want to know what will happen when we are tired (or exhausted), when our undergarment is wet from sweating, and when the water temperature is as low as possible in our area. So, we paddled a fast-paced tour (as fast as possible) to sweat a lot, lose energy and get tired. We succeeded in that when entering the safety of the harbor to commence the test. The water temperature is 2°C, which is the coldest the water gets in our area. Safety precautions were taken in advance and the Coast Guard was aware of our test. In the video you will see the stage we went through, from entering the water until we got ourselves in the first stage of hypothermia. After thirty minutes we experienced uncontrolled shivering which was the signal to get out of the water. Of course, it would be possible a lot longer in cold water, in case of a real emergency. But we don’t want to take risks, our goal was already achieved. We were able to conduct a cold-water safety test that was as realistic as possible. That way we can share our knowledge with the rest of the team, and with other paddlers. Our main message; don’t be afraid of going out when it’s (very) cold, but be well prepared. Wear a good quality PFD and good clothing that protects you against the cold water (dress for immersion), field and swim test your gear on a regular base in the conditions you paddle in and last but not least, imagine the worst that can happen and prepare for it! We sincerely hope that our test can help you get a better understanding of cold water safety. We also advise you to have a look at the website of the NATIONAL CENTER FOR COLD WATER SAFETY. You can find a lot of good tips, together with real life stories. Paddle safe and take care of each other!!

[@christopherneil3841]

After watching this video I spent an hour in my local(Scottish) reservoir testing out my drysuit to see how it felt. Water temperature was 11 degrees C and I was wearing a base layer, and shorts under my drysuit(Typhoon Rapid) I also was wearing neoprene boots and a neoprene hat but no gloves although I did try and keep my hands out of the water as much as possible. After an hour I was cold but still quite comfortable. I'm sure it would have been a very different story in water that was 2 degrees C Great to practice this kind of safety drill for real.

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Christopher, So great that you have also put yourself and dry suit to the test! Indeed, one hour is the average. But when you are exhausted, and your under garnement is wet from sweating, it will be even shorter. Cheers, have fun and paddle safe!😊💪👌

[@tullochgorum6323]

A tip from an old ice-climber - in really cold weather it's safest to reduce the energy output so you don't sweat too hard into your base layer. Better to get there a little slower than never get there at all! And a second tip - learn from the Norwegians and wear a technical mesh vest such as the Brynje Super Thermo against your skin, capped by a tight conventional base layer. This keeps the damp capping layer away from your skin, and traps insulating air in the pockets of the mesh. I've used the Super Thermo for years and it really does make a difference in gnarly conditions. I've also seen an extensive review from a guy who trains kayakers for Arctic conditions, and he insists that his people wear mesh.

[@Northseakayak]

Hi there, and thank you for your contribution to the topic! Agree on that first, but sometimes we train on getting more speed, or a better time, or when doing a downwinder... and then tempo goed up, as is transpiration. For your second tip: we are using ODLO winter sports base layer. Never heard of this brand you mentioned, will have to look it up. Thanks again!! Be safe. 👌😊

[@tommyrq180]

Castelli also makes high quality cycling mesh base layer vests and shirts. I’m a bike racer and a lot of my nice cycling gear works well in the kayak, especially under my dry suit. Appreciate the Brynje reference, however. Nice long-sleeve and tights. The Norwegians might know a thing or two about maritime cold! 🇳🇴

[@oceanbreeze7636]

Whoa - thank you for your service!!

[@Northseakayak]

You're welcome! Be safe!

[@miklossz]

I think that if you wear proper insulation (as in the test) you don't need to avoid moving or swimming. When you are in the water without (proper) clothes if you move the heat loss is accelerated more than the extra heat produced by your body. However, when you are dressed in a drysuit your heat loss is not influenced that much by swimming or moving and probably you can delay or even avoid hypothermia for a quite long time by moderate swimming.

[@sparxy1968]

I would agree with this. If you have trapped air in the suit then filling it with warmer air is a good thing. Similar in principle to doing sit ups in your sleeping bag to increase warmth if you get cold.

[@WalterFox]

You are a real experimentor! Congrats. In juli 2015 I did a foolish trek over the Sloter lake in Friesland in rough conditions. Got dunked smak in the middle of the lake.My seakayak did a needle (also my slopiness) so I could not get back in singlehanded. Got rescued after 45 mins and undercooled even with 5mm neopreen suit. Know now that knowing when NOT to venture out is the first rule of safe kayaking 👍

[@Northseakayak]

Hi there, thanks for sharing your story with us! We also did a test with neoprene clothing (a long time ago) and we concluded practicly the same thing as you did. After about a half hour, we we're entering the first stage of hypothermia. Regarding the clothing, in my eyes you were perfectly in order with your 5mm neoprene suit. Whatever you wear, you're not/never immune for hypothermia, you're just buying yourself time. Best regards, Dimitri

[@Corcioch]

That is an excellent video. That information could be priceless!! Thanks for taking the time to make the video and sharing it with us all.

[@Northseakayak]

It is a pleasure for us to hear that Cormac. That is the reason why we do this! Thank you for your feedback, much appreciated! Cheers, Dimitri

[@eckido]

Jesus! You did a tough test. Here on the water is still ice from peaces 1 to 2 meters and 30 cm thick. Water is near 0 degrees. I wear same stuff like you but don’t like to spend any minute in the water. So good to see you came out healthy!!!!!!!

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Eckhardt, nice to hear from you, thanks for the comments! If you're wearing the same, than you're good. The undergarment that I wear is a perfect compromise air/watertemperature. To much clothes and you're sweating even more, less clothes... well, you get the picture. In this garment I never had cold before, even during rescue training. But it gets ugly when you're in the water for a longer period of time, and as in this case; tired, sweaty undergarment (less insulation) and a great loss of body heat before the test because of the fast paced tour. Speak soon, Dimitri

[@luraleerocks]

What an excellent series of drills. Thank you for posting. I find your channel very informative

[@Northseakayak]

You're welcome, and thank you for the nice compliment! Our next video will be about safety equipment!👌💦😊

[@Jim553just]

Well done NORTHSEAKAYAK. It was a 'chilling' reminder of how quickly things might go wrong.

[@Northseakayak]

Thank you, it was certainly worth to try this field test! :-) Cheers, Dimitri

[@35JeanLuc]

Excellent, a very effective way to show the need to test equipment and stress management in difficult conditions.

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Jean-Luc! How are you? Thanks for the feedback on the video. It was very interesting conducting this test, an eye opener so to say. Best regards! Dimitri

[@BryanSarauer]

Excellent & relevant. I practice rescues/recoveries in the icewater that I often paddle, but I don't practice often enough. People forget that although the air temperature is warm on the beautiful spring days, the water is still ice cold.

[@Northseakayak]

So true! Couldn't agree more! Thank you for commenting. All the best! Dimitri

[@ell8349]

Excellent info Dimitri. I know how cold you were there. I have the pleasure of kayaking In the lovely north sea and it's damn cold at the best of times. Keep up the great work 👍👍👍

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Elliot, It was a real eye opener to see in how less time you get the shivers. I'm sure it takes a lot more time should I have been lees tired, and should my undergarment been bone dry. Onu thing is sure, neoprene gloves are great, your hands keep protected even when your kayak or paddle is gone (like those mits that stick to your paddle). Thanks for your feed-back! Cheers! Dimitri

[@somogyilevente2677]

Daaaamn you are tough! ;) Hats off to you and thanks for a real life test, this information is extremely precious!

[@Northseakayak]

Hi there! Thank you for watching. I still get the shivers when I'm thinking back of it, but I'm glad I did it; both for myselfs and the team, and also to share it with other paddlers. Cheers, Dimitri

[@TMAdventuresT7]

Extremely brave and informative Dimitri, thanks for sharing valuable information 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Northseakayak]

You're welcome, can 't say it was very comfortable but glad that I did it! 😉😀👍

[@rcblitzfpv8346]

I don’t paddle solo and if I ever did it’s be close to shore so I could swim back if needed but I am generally in a group so I wouldn’t have huge amount of problem I have a wetsuit on and a CAG and neoprene boots but there would be enough of us there to help and keep each other out of the water but we try our best to keep warm

[@steflerner7140]

Schitterende video, respect! Had er wat wind gestaan zou de tijd dat je het uitgehouden hebt dramatisch korter zijn geweest.

[@Northseakayak]

Dag Stef, Bedankt voor je feedback. Wind ging niet zo heel veel uitmaken in het water behalve golfslag dan. Gelijk heb je mocht je uit het water zijn, maar toch nat zijn. Dan snijdt het echt wel en mag je minstens 5°C van de luchttemperatuur gaan aftrekken. Lippen verstijven echter wel wat praten (radiocommunicatie) bemoeilijkt. Dank voor het compliment! Groeten, Dimitri

[@joseaugustocaballero9964]

Muchas gracias por la realización de la prueba video, en mi localización el frio es un factor determinante y este video ayuda a la concientización

[@Northseakayak]

You're welcome Jose! It's been a few years since this field test, still shivering if I think back to this. So important indeed. Happy paddling!!😊👌

[@tonytrevorrow1280]

Another Quality, Professional video from a top class crew that is North Sea Kayak,let us hope that the risks taken in this excellent film,were not in vain & that all paddlers will,take note & not be reckless out there,Hope you've stopped shivering Dimitri,thanks for your commitment.

[@Northseakayak]

Wow, you're doing us to much nonor Tony! :-) Thank you for your kind words! We are hoping the same as you do! And yes, I'm warmed up now! :-) Cheers, Dimitri & co

[@Juan0003]

Excellent video. Thank you!

[@Northseakayak]

Thank you Juan! Cheers, Dimitri

[@steppe21]

Hi Dimitri, in 2014 I capsized at the beginning of the spring. without neoprene or drysuit, the water temperature was about 6 degrees Celsius. I had to swim about 40 meters back to the shore and I was already at the end of my capacity arrived. I was maybe 5 min in the water. There you can see how much time you win if you wear the right clothes / equipment. Cheers Steppe

[@Northseakayak]

Thanks Stefan for your honest contribution to this topic! During the first five years of my sea kayak i used neoprene during wintertime. After this period I switched to a dry suit. It is a bit expensive but super comfortable. Cheers, Dimitri

[@steppe21]

Yes, I also have a drysuit from dryfashion now ... I'll get a long john soon. I still plan to visit you this summer greetings Steppe

[@Northseakayak]

We are looking forward to meet you Stefan, would be great to paddle togehter!! Speak soon! Dimitri

[@steppe21]

Hi Dimitri, I' m thinking to come at the end of July, how does that work for you? LG Steppe

[@Northseakayak]

Can you send me an email with some dates Stefan? I will check my working scedule then! Speak soon! Cheers, Dimitri

[@pauljapan6822]

very good video I enjoyed the content and appreciate the insight

[@Northseakayak]

Cheers Paul, glad you found it interesting. Wouldn't do this every week, way too cold!🥶😁

[@wisenber]

Fishnet base layers help keep your sweat in the layer away from your skin.

[@Northseakayak]

Good tip! We use something similar from a well know baselayer brand.👍💪

[@kross1957]

Excellent video. So many anglers are out in cold water and they complain about not being able to wear gloves when they are fishing. As you point out, it is easy to put on items like gloves or a hat after you are in the water. I would recommend you try a neoprene hood rather than a hat. Much warmer.

[@Northseakayak]

Thank you for the nice compliment and your feedback! All the best! :-)

[@dude999642]

Great video. What was the "clo rating", counting all undergarments, of what you were wearing?

[@Northseakayak]

Thank you! I have no clue about the clo rating, sorry. We kept it very practical.

[@OldBastardOutdoors]

So I am curious, could a person when paddling take note of sweating and slow their pace. I am referring to calm water conditions, and easy paddling being possible. I would be curious if completely dry, how long you may last. Cheers, fun to watch

[@Northseakayak]

Hi there! We did some testing back then and you may assume double the time in the same water temperature and same (dry) undergarnement. If one needs to stay longer in the water, better put on even more layers, like a diver would do. Cheers!

[@MrMobydick69]

I notice you have on the back of your Kayak your second pair of paddles! can you recommend a company, brand the paddle bridge you have to keep safe the spair paddles?

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Manuel, this is from REED Chillcheater, check their website for more information.

[@stuartchambers8988]

Very good video, thanks for making it. What is the light that you are wearing on your left shoulder?

[@Northseakayak]

That is an emergency (for diving use) torch and strobe. Thank you for watching Stuart! Cheers, Dimitri

[@Northseakayak]

www.amazon.ca/Zeagle-Signal-Strobe-Diving-Flashlight/dp/B001NJU8CM

[@stuartchambers8988]

@@Northseakayak Hi Dimitri, thank you for your quick reply and for the link, it looks a nice bit of kit. You make great videos, they are really helpful! Happy paddling! Stuart.

[@MrMobydick69]

Please let me know what is the PFD you are using? and what is the best for sea kayak

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Manuel, we use the HIKO Aquatic PFD. For us currently the best and most versatile for sea kayaking. A good fit and lot's of well placed pockets.

[@TylerKrasting]

Is there a video of the full 30 minutes?

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Tyler, No, there isn't. We shortened the original footage, otherwise nobody would watch it.

[@andreasgehret3395]

Thanks for the video! I'd appreciate if you could give a recommendation for neoprene gloves. I am currently using Glacier Gloves but I am not really happy with them. What type are you using?

[@Northseakayak]

Hi Andreas, I'm using MYSTIC gloves. They cost slightly moren than other brands (over here tough). I buy every two year a new pair because of the wear and tear (I go out once, sometimes twice a week during wintertime). This is the model that I use, they have other models also. Cheers, Dimitri

[@Northseakayak]

www.mysticboarding.com/products/kite/accessories/gloves/mstc-pre-curved-glove-3mm/#color_000000

[@kross1957]

Look at the gloves surfers wear. Don't reinvent the wheel. Also, a neoprene hood is much better than a hat.

[@alexdecampos9889]

who makes that kayak?

[@Northseakayak]

Hi ALex, The kayak brand is P&H (from the UK), the model is a Cetus Mv. I'll put the link to the website below. Cheers, Dimitriwww.phseakayaks.com/kayaks.php?kayak=Cetus%20178%20MV

[@Northseakayak]

And you can have a better look at it here; kzbin.info/www/bejne/qaLQmaV3jM6Xqpo

[@oze59]

And after a hot shower lol

[@Northseakayak]

Feeling much better, thanks! It really hurts when leaving the cold water, certainly the hands/fingers, when the blood starts pumping again. Cheers, Dimitri

[@phillipjacobson4498]

Dude We can not read those tiny little words! Please speek next time.

[@Northseakayak]

Hi there! You're the first to say this, perhaps you're using a smartphone with a way too little screen? Maybe try it with a tablet or computer? Cheers, Dimitri

[@phillipjacobson4498]

@@Northseakayak Yes I am its true screen to small have a good day. Looks cold.

[@tomazkaczor3543]

you are Russian,we from east europe dont scared cold:D