The following is a summary of the Zoom based workshop generated by AI. The workshop was not recorded because Janice used quite a lot of material that belongs to others and she wanted to ensure their work was not distributed without their authorization. Also, Janice hoped that anyone interested in the topic would arrange for an in-person talk rather than just listening to a recording. If you would like to arrange for Janice and Ian to give a talk at your location, please contact OARCA membership for more details.
The AI Summary:
Quick recap
The meeting focused on cold water safety for rowing, emphasizing the importance of understanding the risks, proper preparation, and practising emergency procedures. Janice, a retired sports medicine and family physician, as well as cold water swimmer, discussed the physiological effects of cold water immersion, the importance of wearing personal flotation devices, and the best practices for staying safe in cold water environments. The conversation ended with recommendations for further learning and resources, as well as a reminder of upcoming practical sessions to reinforce the knowledge gained.
Summary
Respecting Indigenous Territory and Artwork
In the meeting, Ian acknowledged the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples’ territory, where OARCA rowing locations are situated. Ian also acknowledged the artwork of Archie Andrew, which depicts a family of Orca, symbolizing the strength of their living place. The content presented was credited to Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht, a world-renowned physiologist. The meeting format included a 40 minute presentation by Janice, with pauses for questions, followed by a discussion at the end. The slides used in the presentation were not recorded to respect the creators of the content.
Cold Water Immersion and Safety
Janice discussed her personal experience with cold water immersion while rowing and emphasized the importance of being prepared and aware of the risks. She highlighted the need for regular swim tests and rescue sessions, and encouraged participants to consider their roles in a cold water incident. Janice also touched on the topic of thermoregulation and the importance of wearing appropriate clothing for water activities. She concluded by encouraging participants to attend a formal cold water workshop for further learning.
Understanding Temperature and Hypothermia Effects
Janice discussed the importance of understanding temperature and its effects on the human body. She explained that hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature drops below 35°C, and it takes about 30 minutes for this to happen when a person is in ice water (onset of hypothermia will vary depending on water temperature and body habitus). She also clarified that being cold does not equal hypothermia. Janice emphasized the importance of wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) if in cold water, as it helps keep the head out of the water and the airway open, reducing panic and allowing the person to think and process the situation. She also discussed the four main mechanisms of heat loss: conduction, convection, evaporation, and radiation. Janice concluded by asking which drink would be best for a cold patient: hot water, cool alcohol, or a cold soft drinks. Of the three, the soft drink is preferred because it provides calories. Even better would be something like warm chocolate that provides both warmth and calories.
Cold Water Safety and Response
In the meeting, Janice discussed the best choices for drinks when someone is in cold water, emphasizing the importance of warm drinks with calories to help generate heat. She also explained the difference between immersion and submersion in cold water, highlighting the risks of hypothermia and drowning. Janice then presented a video demonstrating the cold water immersion response, which showed the initial cold shock response, swimming, and rescue collapse; while cold the swimmer did not become hypothermic. She also discussed the 1-10-1 principle, which outlines the time frames for breathing control, coordinated muscle activity, and hypothermia onset when one is immersed in very cold water (<5C). The conversation ended with a discussion on the importance of wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) when in cold water, and access to footwear should a rower unexpectedly have to go ashore, some distance from their starting point.
Cold Water Immersion Preparation and Practice
In the meeting, Janice discussed the importance of knowledge, preparation, and practice in various aspects, including cold water immersion. She suggested several resources for gaining more knowledge, such as the Cold Water Bootcamp and the Canadian Safe Boating Council. She also emphasized the need for preparation, including clothing, footwear and emergency contacts, and the importance of practice, such as the upcoming pool session on May 3rd. Janice also shared a video demonstrating how to get back into a coastal rowing boat and encouraged attendees to visit the OARCA website for more information. The conversation ended with a discussion about the ice mile and the resilience of the human body in extreme conditions.
Resources:
Cold Water Bootcamp – http://www.coldwaterbootcamp.com/pages/home.html
Canadian Safe Boating Council – https://csbc.ca/en/
West Coast Rowing Adventures –Safety Video Capsizing