Safety, Fire & Survival · Survival — Cold Water 1-10-1
The '1-10-1 principle' of sudden cold-water immersion describes:
- A1 lifejacket per 10 people for 1 voyage
- B1 hour of cold shock, 10 hours of swimming, 1 day of survival
- CAbout 1 minute to control breathing (cold shock), ~10 minutes of meaningful movement, and ~1 hour before unconsciousness from hypothermia✓ Correct
- DA radio procedure for distress relays
Explanation
On sudden immersion: the first ~1 minute is the cold-shock gasp/hyperventilation phase (control breathing, don't panic); then about 10 minutes of useful arm/leg movement before cold incapacitation; then it may take ~1 hour for hypothermia to cause unconsciousness — so get out or stay still and afloat.
Authority: Survival at sea guidance; STCW A-VI/1; cold-water immersion research
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