The reality of Cold Water Shock in Lake Tahoe: Life jackets save lives

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Sadly, every year there are drownings in Lake Tahoe, and 2022 has already seen the first death on the lake.

U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that drowning was the reported cause of death in four out of every five recreational boating fatalities in 2020, and that 86 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

Earlier in May, North Tahoe firefighters were dispatched to a water rescue in Tahoma, where they received reports of two people in the water. A witness stated the victim had hold of the ladder but struggled to gain access to the vessel and shortly after entering the water, submerged without resurfacing. The incident took place approximately 100 yards into the buoy field.

North Tahoe Fire personnel attempted rescue from shore with dry suits and shore-zone rescue gear, but the water was too deep. The US Coast Guard retrieved the victim who was attended to immediately by North Tahoe Fire paramedics on the boat, who attempted resuscitation efforts on the 58-year-old. CPR efforts were terminated at the direction of Tahoe Forest Health given the gravity of the circumstances.

On May 27, the results were better but could have easily been the same. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office was patrolling Lake Tahoe aboard its Marine 9 on May 27 when they saw what appeared to be two people clinging to rocks near Sand Harbor. The pair had been kayaking in rough water under a wind advisory when the vessels overturned. They were rescued and treated by emergency personnel, both showing signs of hypothermia.

Also last week, a woman's screams for help from about 1,000 feet offshore were heard by a South Lake Tahoe resident who called 911. The South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue Boat has just been put in the water and staff were training in the area, so they were able to respond quickly and pull her out.

The water temperature in Lake Tahoe is about 45°F at this time of year, not warming up until we are well into July. Even in late summer and close to shore, the water in Lake Tahoe is extremely cold and may result in Cold Shock Response, which can immediately incapacitate even the strongest and most experienced swimmers. Our hearts are with the victim’s loved ones.

There is a common denominator when people drown or face serious situations when in the water of Lake Tahoe: no wearing of a life preserver.

First responders will say the same thing, "I've never retrieved a deceased person from Lake Tahoe that was wearing a life jacket."

It isn't hypothermia that kills people in the lake, it's Cold Water Shock. Each year I write about this in hopes at least one life is saved through education. It doesn't matter how fit one is, how young or told they are, Cold Water Shock does not discriminate.

"Swim Smart, Swim Safe: know the dangers of cold water" was the message coming from agencies responsible for boating and water safety on Lake Tahoe back in 2015, right after the deaths of two healthy men and has been the focus ever since.

Drowning incidents from boating, paddling, and swimming often share the same cause, "cold water shock," an involuntary gasp reflex caused by sudden immersion in cold water. Swimmers and boaters suddenly exposed to the cold waters of Lake Tahoe may experience rapid breathing, gasping, fainting, muscle failure, and immediate risk of drowning.

An average of seven people die in the cold water of Lake Tahoe every year, and local agencies have been working together to try and reduce these numbers. The campaigns lead to South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue getting supplies of life vests from the California Division of Boating and Waterways that are kept at all three of its stations for people to use while on the lake.

Most of the drownings on Lake Tahoe happen in minutes or even seconds. The best way for boaters, paddlers, and swimmers to stay safe is to always wear a life jacket. Even if a boater or paddler does not expect to enter the water, they should prepare for the unexpected.

"If you get into trouble in the water, a life jacket will save your life. We’ve seen it over and over. These fatal accidents can be avoided," said Chief Game Warden Tyler Turnipseed of the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) in 2016.

There are four stages to cold water immersion:

Stage 1: Initial Cold Shock
Sudden immersion into cold water can cause immediate, involuntary gasping for air, panic, and vertigo as well as create changes in your body's blood pressure and heart rate. The sensation of taking your breath away can result in panic and inhalation of water and drowning. If you do fall in or enter the cold water, attempt to get control of breathing and try not to panic. Focus on floating with your head above water, until the initial cold shock phase passes.

Stage 2: Short-Term Swim Failure
Swim failure occurs anywhere from 3-30 minutes following the initial cold water shock. In this phase, the muscles and nerves in the legs and arms will begin to cool quickly, causing strength and movement to drop significantly. This stage of cold water immersion can render a strong person unable to pull themselves out of the water or keep their head above the water.

Stage 3: Long-Term Immersion Hypothermia
Hypothermia sets in after 30 minutes of cold water exposure, depending on the water temperature; as cold water causes the body to lose heat 25 times faster than cold air. Hypothermia is a cooling of the body’s core temperature caused by active heat loss and the failure of the body to produce more heat. Recognize signs of hypothermia to help identify its early onset: shivering slurred speech; cold and blueish lips, skin, and fingernails; loss of feeling in extremities; confusion; dizziness and rigidity in extremities.

Stage 4: Post Immersion Collapse
Post immersion collapse can occur at any point. Your body is still in danger while being rescued from cold water or after. Cardiac arrest after cold water immersion occurs due to the collapse of the arterial blood pressure. Along with hypothermia, possible water in the lungs due to inhalation, or coagulation issues due to cold and thickened blood.

The National Safe Boating Council recommends these tips for boaters:

Take a boating safety course. Gain valuable knowledge and on-water experience in a boating safety course with many options for novice to experienced boaters.

Check equipment. Schedule a free vessel safety check with local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to make sure all essential equipment is present, working, and in good condition.

Make a float plan. Always let someone on shore know the trip itinerary, including operator and passenger information, boat type and registration, and communication equipment on board.

Wear a life jacket. Make sure everyone wears a life jacket – every time. A stowed life jacket is no use in an emergency.

Use an engine cut-off device – it’s the law. An engine cut-off device, or engine cut-off switch, is a proven safety device to stop the boat’s engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard.

Watch the weather. Always check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently during the excursion.

Know what’s going on around you at all times. Nearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents in 2020 were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout.

Know where you’re going and travel at safe speeds. Be familiar with the area, local boating speed zones and always travel at a safe speed.
Never boat under the influence. A DUI is involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Always designate a sober skipper.

Keep in touch. Have more than one communication device that works when wet. VHF radios, emergency locator beacons, satellite phones, and cell phones can all be important devices in an emergency.

This week is the annual kick-off of the Safe Boating Campaign, a global awareness effort that encourages boaters to make the most of their boating adventure by being responsible.