Spring is nearly here, weather is getting nice (at least here in the south) and people are getting out on the water. Saturday my friend and ACA Guide Phil Walton, did a presentation about the dangers of cold water. To prove his point, with professional assistance, he went for a swim in the harbor. We had practiced this in my pool but it didn't prepare him for the actual experience! The water temps were the same but wind and waves made for a much shorter and more painful experience.

I was photographer and Lee was his safety swimmer and this is Lee's report:

Phil Walton demonstrating today the effects of cold water on the human body at Guntersville Lake. Water temp was 50 degrees F, air temp around 58 or 60. It was sobering to say the least to be next to him watching his face and so clearly seeing the debilitating effects and the pain he felt. Keep in mind, this guys one of the toughest, most tenacious people I know, former US Marine, experienced all season paddler. He was able to describe the effects being felt on the body during the mere one and a half minutes he was in the water wearing clothes your average boater would be wearing on a upper 60's/low 70's day on the lake in early Spring (shirt, jeans, sneakers, wind breaker, and PFD). First his legs cramped up and he felt a lot of pain, arms and hands went numb, bad headache, muscles throughout body turning to stone, in less than a minute and a half!! When he got back into the rescue boat, it took two trained rescue squad members pulling from the boat and me pushing from below to get him back on board. Without the PFD, he would have probably sunk to the bottom in less than a minute.................... PLEASE, let that sink in.

I know many know this, but there are too many that die each year. We want to raise the awareness of people. The even was video taped and Phil will be working on that in the next couple of weeks.