Cold Water Shock
What is Cold Water Shock? It’s the body’s reaction when immersed in cold water. How does it happen and what are the cold water shock symptoms? Cold water shock causes the blood vessels in the skin to close, which increases the resistance of blood flow. Heart rate is also increased. As a result the heart has to work harder and your blood pressure goes up. Cold water shock can therefore cause heart attacks, even in the relatively young and healthy. The sudden cooling of the skin by cold water also causes an involuntary gasp for breath. Breathing rates can change uncontrollably, sometimes increasing as much as tenfold. All these responses contribute to a feeling of panic, increasing the chance of inhaling water directly into the lungs. This can all happen very quickly: it only takes half a pint of sea water to enter the lungs for a fully grown man to start drowning. You could die if you don’t get medical care immediately. Why is cold water shock dangerous? Anything below 15°C is defined as cold water and can seriously affect your breathing and movement, so the risk is significant most of the year. Average UK and Ireland sea temperatures are just 12°C. Rivers such as the Thames are colder – even in the summer.
Why join a Boat Club?
Because it’s cheaper than buying a boat. During lock down when we weren’t allowed to go abroad on holiday, a lot of people bought boats, especially RIBS, so the price of them went up dramatically. The reality is that most people who own a Rib, only take it out around 10 times a year and most family sized Ribs cost in excess of £40,000. With the added annual cost of moorings, insurance, maintenance etc (which can be over £5000 per year, excluding fuel), it’s an expensive hobby. Boat Clubs take all the hassle out of owning a rib. The boats are new, maintained, insured and the cost is spit amongst its members thus making it more affordable. When the boat is a few years old they are replaced, so all the boats are the latest model and most importantly, reliable. When you want to use the boat you book it and as long as the boat is available, it will be on the clubs’ pontoon fully fuelled and ready to go for when you arrive. All the member has to do is return the boat at the end of the day.The cost of joining a Boat Club depends on the size of the boat and the frequency you plan to use it. Each Club will have a different payment and cost structure so look around. Which Boat Club should I choose?Choose a location where you want to go boating which is not too far from where you live. Then think about what you want to do with the boat. My Club is Chichester Boat Club situated in Chichester Harbour (approximately 1hr 40mins from London. It is a beautiful Harbour in West Sussex, with golden beaches where you can anchor and have a picnic, see the harbour seals and there are a number of waterside pubs you can moor up near bye, have a drink and a meal. If you are more adventurous the Isle of Wright is a short hop across the Solent. If want to know more visit http://www.chichesterboatclub.com or contact us.
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Why do a RYA Powerboat Course.
So what are the Powerboating qualifications? RYA Level 1 Start Powerboating – Age 8+ max 3 per course Provides a practical introduction to boat handling and safety in powerboats. It covers boating techniques for launching and recovering a boat from a road trailer, everyday boat handling and the use of safety equipment. The course may be conducted in a variety of boat types, both planing and displacement, and the certificate issued will be endorsed to show the type of boat in which the training took place. A one day introduction to Powerboating with no previous experience required. Cost £150 – £200 (one day course) RYA Level 2 Powerboat Handling – Age 12+ max 3 per course Provides the skills and background knowledge needed by the competent powerboat driver and is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence. It aims to teach boat handling and seamanship in powerboats. It focuses on low speed close quarters handling, man overboard recovery, an introduction to driving at planing speed, and collision regulations. The course can be taken at an inland or coastal location. It may be conducted in a variety of boat types, both planing and displacement. The certificate issued will be endorsed to show the type of boat in which the training took place. Cost £250 – £350 (Two day course) RYA Powerboat Intermediate Course – Age 16+ max 3 per course Covers the practical use of pilotage and passage planning by day on coastal waters using both traditional and electronic navigational techniques. It aims to teach the standard required to complete a short coastal passage by day. This course builds on the foundation knowledge of the Level 2 course and is suited to those who aim to drive larger more powerful powerboats. During the course you will cover cruising at planing speed and more advanced boat handling. It is recommended for anyone considering moving on to the Advanced course.The course can be conducted on a planing or displacement boat Cost £300 – £350 (two day course) RYA Powerboat Advanced Course – Age 17+ max 3 per course Aims to teach boat handling, seamanship, pilotage and navigation up to the standards required to drive a planing powerboat safely by day and night in tidal coastal waters, with which the candidate may be familiar, in more demanding conditions. Given the nature of these passages Advanced Powerboat courses should be delivered on powerboats of a minimum of 6 metres and an engine size sufficient to enable coastal passages at planing speed. Cost £300 – £350 (two day course with one night passage) Chichester Boat Club only offers PB1 and PB2 courses. Very few people do the PB1 as it is only an introduction to powerboating. The majority of people do the PB2 as it is the minimum level of qualification needed by sailing clubs and boat hire companies, in the UK and abroad, to use their boats (up to 10m). RYA qualifications are recognised in the UK and some European countries, if you want to hire a boat abroad you will need to convert your RYA qualification to an ICC (international Certificate of Competence). This can be done via the RYA website at no cost to RYA members. https://www.rya.org.uk/knowledge/abroad/icc#link3 I hope this was helpful and if you want to book a Powerboat Level 1 or 2 course please visit our RYA Powerboat Course Tab on the main menu of this website.
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