A survey of disorientation and other problems among canoeists following immersion in cold water [proceedings].

As an initial step to a broader study of the disorienting effects of cold water immersions on top class competitive canoeists a survey was made of the incidence of hazardous immersions amongst a majority sample of the better canoeists in the country. Virtually the entire entry to one of the most important national competitive meets was canvassed. A total of 288 canoeists in the 1st and 2nd divisions were identified and asked to participate. Replies were received from 247 (86%). All those responding had had extensive experience of canoeing in winter spate and were capable of fast and efficient first-time canoe rolls in cases of capsize. Particular interest was focussed on the 85 (29%) who had had at least one experience of capsizing in very cold water (about 80C) during training or competition in mid-winter.