Cold Weather Paddling
Some info on cold water paddling follows. While our waters here are still relatively mild, they can get downright chilly by January and February. As a general rule, I mitigate the risk by paddling close to shore and with a buddy or two. Furthermore, I always dress for immersion when the water temp plus the air temp added together equals less than 120 degrees, or the water temp alone is less than 65 degrees.
Now, what does dress for immersion translate into? This means we dress in manner which will allow for the maintenance of our core body temperatures for a significant duration in the event that we would end up in the water. Bottom line here is even if you have never tipped your kayak, you should always plan like you are going to end up in the water.
A 5 mm wetsuit serves to trap water between your skin and the neoprene. These do not keep water out, but rather allow for the trapped water to be heated by your skin. Never stay in a damp wetsuit once you are on land, because the evaporative cooling effect will sap heat from your body. Change into your dry clothes instead.
In really chilly temps or waters, a drysuit is more appropriate. 
I like to refer to these as ziplock bags for humans. The gaskets at the wrists and neck keep water out all together, while the Gore-Tex fabric allows body moisture to be release. Since you are essential just surrounded by this waterproof sack, you will still need to wear an insulation layer underneath the drysuit. Growing up, we regularly stuffed the pink Owens Corning fiberglass insulation from the hardware store into the drawers of our little brother as retribution for him faking like we injured him so that we would have to do his chores. …BUT, the insulation I am speaking of is something along the lines of the fleece lined Wavelite fabrics like we offer in the kayak shop. 
Hyrdosilk is a thinner version of synthetics which can be used as a base layer or by itself on warmer days. 
Hydroskin is an actual 5 mm neoprene top that can be used in conjunction with a Farmer John wetsuit when you want thermal protection on the arms (farmer John’s and Farmer Janes’s are sleeveless and the most versatile type of wetsuit since they can be worn by themselves on warmer days or with a neoprene Hydroskin top on cooler ones. 
More mixing and matching of these garments can be done by using wavelite pants
or surfskin pants with a pair of paddler’s pants. Or wear any of the tops in conjunction with a drytop or splash top.
Confused yet? We understand. Drop into the kayak shop at 220 N. Western in Oklahoma City and we can get you fixed up with a variety of cold weather paddling options including kayaking gloves, pogies (mittens that attach to the paddle shaft), footwear, neoprene socks, balaclava’s (think of the headgear seen on the guy holding up the seven eleven), and more.
A hypo bag should another essential part of your cold water safety plan. 
Take a drysack and fill it with a set of warm dry clothes like fleece, a stocking cap, wool socks, a way to start a fire and some sort of quick food energy. This bag should be kept within easy reach. I like to keep mine right behind my seat. Once you are out of the water, changing into dry clothes should again be your first priority to reduce further heat loss.
Not convinced that you need to invest in the proper clothing for cold weather paddling yet??? Keep reading!
Subject: [DFWpaddlers] United States Search and Rescue Task Force Cold Water Survival
United States
Search and Rescue Task Force
Cold Water Survival
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Cold Water
What is it? It is difficult even for an expert to define. It is
estimated to be around and under the temperature of 70 degrees.
However, this will vary in each case due to the specific
circumstances and physical condition of the person involved.
What Happens In Cold Water?
Many of the fatal boating accidents occur in the “out-of-season”
months when the water is cold. What happens to the body when
suddenly plunged into cold water?
The first hazards to contend with are panic and shock. The initial
shock can place severe strain on the body, producing instant cardiac
arrest, as happened to a 15 year old scout in the month of March in
Pennsylvania several years ago.
Survivors of cold water accidents have reported the breath driven
from them on first impact with the water. Should your face be in
the water during that first involuntary gasp for breath, it may well
be water rather than air. Total disorientation may occur after cold
water immersion. Persons have reported “thrashing helplessly in the
water” for thirty seconds or more until they were able to get their
bearings.
Immersion in cold water can quickly numb the extremities to the point
of uselessness. Cold hands cannot fasten the straps of a lifejacket,
grasp a thrown rescue line, or hold onto an over-turned boat.
Within minutes, severe pain clouds rational thought. And, finally,
hypothermia (exposure) sets in, and without rescue and proper first
aid treatment, unconsciousness and death. We all recall the incident
in which the airliner went down in the dead of winter in the water in
Washington, D.C. several years ago. The vivid video of the rescue
attempts and those that died due to hypothermia is not easily
forgotten.
Normal body temperature of course, is 98.6. Shivering and the
sensation of cold can begin when the body temperature lowers to
approximately 96.5. Amnesia can begin to set in at approximately 94,
unconsciousness at 86 and death at approximately 79 degrees.
What To Do In The Water
Cold water robs the body’s heat 32 times faster than cold air. If
you should fall into the water, all efforts should be given to
getting out of the water by the fastest means possible.
Persons boating in the cold water months should be thoroughly skilled
in rescue and self-rescue techniques. Most accidents involve small
boats which with practice, can be righted and re-entered. Most
boats, even filled with water, will support the weight of its
occupants. If the boat has capsized and cannot be made right, climb
on top of it.
Physical exercise such as swimming causes the body to lose heat at a
much faster rate than remaining still in the water. Blood is pumped
to the extremities and quickly cooled. Few people can swim a mile in
fifty degree water. Should you find yourself in cold water and are
not able to get out, you will be faced with a critical choice - to
adopt a defensive posture in the water to conserve heat and wait for
rescue, or attempt to swim to safety.
Should you find yourself in the water, avoid panic. Air trapped in
clothing can provide buoyancy as long as you remain still in the
water. Swimming or treading water will greatly increase heat loss
and can shorten survival time by more than 50%.
The major body heat loss areas are the head, neck, armpits, chest and
groin. If you are not alone, huddle together or in a group facing
each other to maintain body heat.
Preparation
Proper preparation is essential when boating on cold water. Make
sure your boat and equipment are in first class condition. Check the
weather forecast before leaving for your event. Always tell someone
where you are going and when you expect to return. Dress in several
layers of light clothing. Next to a diver’s wet suit, wool clothing
offers the best protection. Always wear a personal flotation device
(PFD) when boating.
First Aid Considerations For Cold Water Victims
Treatment for hypothermia depends on the condition of the person.
Mild hypothermia victims who show only symptoms of shivering and are
capable of rational conversation may only require removal of wet
clothes and replacement with dry clothes or blankets.
In more severe cases where the victim is semi-conscious, immediate
steps must be taken to begin the rewarming process.
Get the person out of the water and into a warm environment. Remove
the clothing only if it can be done with a minimum of movement of the
victim’s body. Do not massage the extremities.
Lay the semi-conscious person face up, with the head slightly
lowered, unless vomiting occurs. The head down position allows more
blood to flow to the brain.
If advanced rescue equipment is available it can be administered by
those trained in its use. Warm humidified oxygen should be
administered by face mask.
Immediately attempt to rewarm the victims body core. If available,
place the person in a bath of hot water at a temperature of 105 to
110 degrees. It is important that the victim’s arms and legs be kept
out of the water to prevent “after-drop” . After-drop occurs when the
cold blood from the limbs is forced back into the body resulting in
further lowering of the core temperature. After-drop can be fatal.
If a tub is not available, apply hot, wet towels or blankets to the
victim’s head, neck, chest, groin, and abdomen. Do not warm the
arms or legs.
If nothing else is available, a rescuer may use their own body heat
to warm a hypothermia victim.
Never give alcohol to a hypothermia victim.
Some Important Facts To Remember
Most persons recovered in cold water “near” drowning cases show the
typical symptoms of death:
Cyanotic (blue) skin coloration
No detectable breathing
No apparent pulse or heartbeat
Pupils fully dilated (opened)
These symptoms, it was discovered, did not always mean the victim was
dead. They were, on the other hand, the body’s way of increasing its
chances of survival through what scientists call the mammalian diving
reflex. This reflex is most evident in marine mammals such as
whales, seals or porpoises. In the diving reflex, blood is diverted
away from the arms and legs to circulate (at the rate of only 6-8
beats per minute, in some cases) between the heart, brain and lungs.
Marine mammals have developed this ability to the point where they
can remain under water for extended periods of time (over 30 minutes
in some species) without brain or body damage.
Humans experience the diving reflex, but it is not as pronounced as
in other mammals. The factors which enhance the diving reflex in
humans are:
Water temperature - less than 70 degrees or colder, the more profound
the response and perhaps the more protective to the brain
Age - the younger the victim, the more active the reflex
Facial immersion - the pathways necessary for stimulating this series
of responses seem to emanate from facial cold water stimulation.
The diving reflex is a protective mechanism for humans in cold water
immersions, but it may confuse the rescuer into thinking the victim
is dead. Resuscitative efforts for these victims should be started
immediately utilizing CPR in accordance with your training.
Remember, numerous children have been brought up from freezing water
after 30 minutes and been successfully resuscitated.
Expected Survival Time in Cold Water
Water Temperature
Exhaustion or Unconsciousness in
Expected Survival Time
70-80° F (21-27° C)
3-12 hours
3 hours - indefinitely
60-70° F (16-21° C)
2-7 hours
2-40 hours
50-60° F (10-16° C)
1-2 hours
1-6 hours
40-50° F (4-10° C)
30-60 minutes
1-3 hours
32.5-40° F (0-4° C)
15-30 minutes
30-90 minutes
<32° F (<0° C)
Under 15 minutes
Under 15-45 minutes