5 Golden Rules for Cold Water Safety
- Wear a PFD (lifejacket)
- Dress for the water temperature
- Field test your gear
- Swim test your gear
- Plan for the worst that can happen
provided by the National Center for Cold Water Safety
Across numerous popular paddling locations in Oregon, the water temperature typically remains below 60°F until June, and it only reaches a comfortable 70°F during the brief summer months. As a result, it is crucial to prioritize cold water safety and consider it carefully before embarking on any water-based activities throughout most of the year. Please take a look at the National Center for Cold Water Safety. This website is packed with a lot of information and it will answer popular questions such as:
- Why do I have to worry about the cold water if I never fall in?
- What temperature is “cold water” defined as?
- What gear do I need?
And if that is not enough to get you thinking about whether you are being safe enough out there, check out the case index page on their website detailing actual incidents. It is chilling.
Oregon Paddling 