Stearns Safety & Survival 24MSPT-1 manual Some Points to Remember About Hypothermia Protection

Some Points to Remember About Hypothermia Protection:

1.Always wear your PFD. Even if you become incapacitated due to hypothermia, the PFD will keep you afloat and greatly improve your chances of rescue.

2.Do not attempt to swim unless it is to reach a nearby craft, fellow sur- vivor, or a floating object on which you can lean or climb. Swimming increases the rate of body heat loss. In cold water, drown-proofing methods that require putting your head in the water are not recom- mended. Keep your head out of the water. This will greatly lessen heat loss and increase your survival time.

3. Use the standard H.E.L.P. position when wearing an inflatable PFD, drawing the legs up to a seated posi- tion, because doing so will help you conserve body heat.

4. Keep a positive attitude about your survival and rescue. This will improve your chances of extending your survival time until rescued. Your will-to-live does make a difference!

5.If there is more than one person in the

water, huddling is recommended while waiting to be rescued. This action tends to reduce the rate of heat loss and thus increase the sur- vival time.

IX. EACH OF THESE DEVICES IS INTENDED TO HELP YOU SAVE YOUR OWN LIFE

For your PFD to function properly, follow these suggestions to verify that it fits, floats, and remains in good condition.

1.Check the status of the inflator and make sure that the status indicator is green. Check before each outing.

2.Get in the habit of rearming the inflation mechanism right after each inflation.

3.Try your wearable PFD on and adjust it until it fits comfortably in and out of the water.

4.Mark your PFD with your name if you are the only wearer.

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