Survivors

Survivors should be brought on board as quickly as possible since they may be exhausted, nearly drowned, and perhaps injured. They may be in the last stages of exhaustion and totally unable to help themselves. Even a short scramble up rope netting will be beyond their capability and could endanger their life. They
will have to be assisted or carried. If possible they should be lifted in a horizontal posture as this reduces the chances of a sudden drop in blood pressure on removal from the water.
 
Hypothermia
 
Hypothermia is the term given to the condition when deep body temperature is lowered to less than 35ºC. At and below this temperature normal body function will be impaired. Loss of life may occur when deep body temperature falls below 30ºC. The usual causes among seafarers are immersion in the sea, or exposure to cold air while in a survival craft. In a cold environment body heat production will automatically increase in an effort to balance heat loss, but if the rate of heat loss
exceeds the rate of heat production then body temperature must fall and hypothermia will result. The rate of heat loss is many times greater in water than in air. The rate of heat loss will vary depending on the difference in the temperature between the body and the water. Hence in tropical water one may not die
of hypothermia for a considerable period of time, whereas in colder water death from hypothermia can occur in less than an hour. In addition, death by drowning is a frequent consequence of weakness caused by hypothermia, before death from hypothermia alone would occur. Almost all seas in the world are at a temperature which can be classed as a cold environment, as heat loss will occur in water at temperatures below 35.5°C.

The treatment for hypothermia will of course depend on both the condition of the survivor and the facilities available. Generally, survivors who are rational and capable of recounting their experiences, although shivering dramatically, merely require removal of all wet clothes and replacement with dry clothes or blankets. Hot sweet drinks and rest in a warm environment not exceeding 22°C (normal room temperature) are also recommended. However, always bear in mind that even conscious survivors can collapse and become unconscious shortly after rescue. They should therefore be laid down and should not be left alone. NEVER GIVE ALCOHOL. In more serious cases, where the survivor is not shivering and is semi-conscious, unconsciousor apparently dead, slow rewarming is essential. Never attempt rapid rewarming by immersion in a hot bath except on medical advice.