Ice & Cold
Survive cold-water immersion
Cold water kills through cold shock, cold incapacitation, and hypothermia — in that order. Knowing the sequence keeps you alive.
NASBLA — Cold Water Boot Camp
Step-by-step
Control your breathing for the first minute — cold shock triggers gasping and hyperventilation.
Keep your head above water and avoid swimming hard; cold incapacitation can rob your strength in minutes.
If you fell through ice, kick horizontally and pull yourself onto solid ice, then roll away from the hole.
Assume the HELP position (Heat Escape Lessening Posture): cross arms over chest and draw knees up to reduce heat loss.
If you're with others, huddle together to share body heat while waiting for rescue.
Warning: Alcohol speeds heat loss and impairs judgment. Never drink to 'warm up' in a cold-water emergency.
Related outdoor skills
Educational reference only. Wilderness conditions change fast — practice in low-stakes settings, take a certified wilderness first-aid course, and confirm regional regulations before you rely on any of these skills in the field.