Safety, Fire & Survival · Survival — Cold Water
The greatest immediate danger on suddenly entering very cold water is:
- ASunburn
- BHeat stroke
- CDehydration
- DCold shock — an involuntary gasp and rapid breathing that can cause drowning✓ Correct
Explanation
Cold-water immersion first triggers cold shock: an involuntary gasp, hyperventilation, and elevated heart rate in the first minutes, a major drowning risk. Swimming failure and then hypothermia follow. A lifejacket and staying still help.
Authority: STCW A-VI/1; cold-water survival guidance
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