Miscellaneous safety information |
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Water survival timeTrip Difficulty Rating SystemSurf EtiquetteSteve's wave height scaleSuggested Multi-Day Equipment List |
"A man who is not afraid of the sea will soon be drowned, he said, for he will be going out on a day he shouldn't. But we do be afraid of the sea and we do only be drowned now and again."John Millington Synge - The Aran Islands |
Water survival time
This is according to the USCG safety pamphlet that comes with PFDs. If you live longer than indicated, call the Coast Guard and complain. If you die sooner, have your next of kin call them to complain.
Water Temperature (Deg F) |
Exhaustion or unconsciousness |
Expected survival time |
32.5 |
Under 15 min |
Under 15 to 45 min |
32.5 to 40 |
15 to 30 min |
30 to 90 min |
40 to 50 |
30 to 60 min |
1 to 3 hrs |
50 to 60 |
1 to 2 hrs |
1 to 6 hrs |
60 to 70 |
2 to 7 hrs |
2 to 40 hrs |
70 to 80 |
2 to 12 hrs |
3 hrs to indefinite |
Over 80 |
Indefinite |
Indefinite |
Steve's wave height scale (use with caution & a sense of humor)
I have my own system of measuring wave height which is simple and accurate because it is based on the fact that the top of vickies helmet is about 2.5 feet off the water. Also, we have jointly worked out a simple system of calling out wave height which is more meaningful than feet. Similar to the Buford wind scale:
Wave height relative to paddler |
Approximate wave Height |
Verbal wave rating |
1 head |
2.5 feet |
Wave |
2 heads |
5 feet |
Big wave |
3 heads |
7.5 feet |
Ug-Oh |
4 heads |
10 feet |
Holy-Moly |
5 heads |
12.5 feet |
Silence (as you contemplate your doom) |
6+ heads |
Dead is dead, so who cares anyway |
N/A (no one can hear you scream under water) |
