The Feb Woods-N-Water News has an article on cold water risk. The guy, Jonathan Schechter, seems to be a real expert and in general his message is this….

"If you fall in very cold water while not wearing a PFD you are dead. If you are wearing a life jacket there's a slim chance you will be able to control your body movements and mind long enough to get back in the boat. But probably not and you'll be dead, too."

He give a number of medical examples of how our bodies react to the plunge. And he talks about how New York has passed regs that require PFDs to be worn at all times during cold water months.

Great article.