Stewart
M. Tweed
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Hypothermia,
the lowering of a person's core body temperature, can be a
killer for anyone who works or plays outdoors.
Commercial
fishermen working away from shore in cold weather have little
chance of survival if they fall overboard or have to abandon
a sinking ship. Humans rapidly lose heat in cold water and
can die in a matter of minutes.
Immersion
suits, or survival suits as they are often called by commercial
fishermen, can significantly improve survival time in cold
water. These suits are often featured in stories about successful
sea rescues. Recognizing that hypothermia is a major factor
in lives lost at sea, the U.S. Coast Guard now requires immersion
suits on documented vessels operating north of 32 degrees
North and seaward of the Coastal Boundary Line.
Notwithstanding
any requirements, immersion suits are recognized as an important
piece of life saving equipment for all fishermen. To be effective,
fishermen must keep their suits in good condition, keep them
handy and know how to use them.
Proper
care and maintenance of immersion suits will extend their
working life and possibly your own. Routine suit inspections
should include suit material and function of zippers and inflation
hoses.
- Inspect
for holes, tears or signs of wear. Suits used in salt water
or in pools should be rinsed thoroughly inside and out with
fresh water and turned inside out to dry, but not in direct
sunlight. Grease and oil should be removed from suits with
mild soap. Do not dry clean.
- Check
all zippers for smooth operation. Lubricate zippers with
a non-petroleum based product such as canning paraffin,
beeswax or substance recommended by the manufacturer.
- Air
bladders provide extra buoyancy and are vitally important
in keeping the head out of water when lying horizontally
in the water. At least once a year the bladder and inflation
hose should
- Suit
repairs are critical and should be made by the manufacturer
or a technician experienced in repair of wet suits. Do not
tamper with the suit by adding a pocket or changing design,
both these actions could cause your suit to lose its Coast
Guard approval rating.
- Store
your suit in an accessible and dry place. Suits should be
rolled and stowed in their bags (Figure 1) with the zippers
open and zipped up one inch from the bottom. Lubricate snaps
and zippers on the bag.
Your
immersion suit works properly only when you are wearing it
in the water. New safety regulations for documented vessels
that operate beyond the boundary lines or with more than 16
people, require monthly drills and instructions for donning
immersion suits. First attempts can be awkward and exhausting
but with practice you should succeed in getting into a suit
in one minute or less. Practice seated donning of suit. This
will be the most convenient methods in actual high sea, emergency
situation. The following is the instructions for practice
seated donning of an Immersion Suit (Figure 2):
STEP
1. Roll suit out on deck and sit on it. Insert your legs
into suit using plastic bags to make it easier. Leave on boots
and other clothing for insulation and protection in the water.
STEP
2. Place non-dominant arm into suit first (lefties-right
and righties-left). Pull hood over head with free hand.
STEP
3. Place dominant arm in last. Pull the zipper up with
care and secure flap over your face.
STEP
4. Make sure that all straps and hoses are secure to avoid
being snagged or injured. Do not inflate air bladder until
you are in the water.
A training
variation on this procedure would be to try putting the suit
on in the water. Sit on top the suit and slide in one leg
at a time. Next insert one arm, put hood over head and then
the other arm. Your suit may now be filled with water but
your body heat will warm it up.
As of
September 15, 1991, the Coast Guard requires all suits to
be marked with 31 square inches of retro-reflective material
Tape I and II. This will improve your visibility and chances
of being picked up. All Coast Guard Approved suits come with
the correct amount of retro-reflective tap and should not
need any additional. A whistle and strobe light (as required
on ocean going vessels) will also help. Suits must be equipped
with a Coast Guard Approved PFD light which should be attached
to the shoulder area, and have an up-to-date power supply.
Suits must also be marked in "block capital letters" with
(a) the vessel name, (b) the name of owner of the suit, or
(c) the name of the person to whom the suit is assigned. Check
with manufacturer for proper paint or magic marker for your
suit.
For
proper functioning, be sure your suit fits properly. Check
the seams, equipment and fit in your monthly drills. Make
repairs immediately. Your life could depend on it.
If you
have questions about care of your suit or regulatory requirements,
contact the manufacturer or U.S. Coast Guard.
- "Atlantic
Coast Fishing Vessel Safety Manual." Department of Fisheries,
Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Rhode Island.
1990.
- "Commercial
Fishing Industry Vessel Regulations: Immersion Suits." Federal
Register, Vol. 57, #149, August 3, 1992.
Disclaimer
and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent
NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission
of the author and/or copyright holder. More
NASD Review: 04/2002
Stewart
M. Tweed - Marine Extension Agent - New Jersey Marine Advisory
Service
Mr.
Richard C. Hiscock is acknowledged for review of this Fact
Sheet.
This
publication was made possible in part by a grant from the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Program
on Agricultural Health Promotion Systems for New Jersey.
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