2025-Sep-13
Cold Water, Big Risk: Know the Dangers, Stay Safe
It might still feel like summer out there, but Georgian Bay waters are rapidly cooling off posing a serious risk to anyone on the water. With current water temperatures at 18.2°C (64.9°F) in Honey Harbour and 14.7°C (58.5°F) in Killarney, it’s crucial to be aware of the dangers and take necessary precautions.
Cold water poses significant dangers, including cold shock upon initial immersion which can lead to gasping, panic, and potentially drowning. Prolonged exposure can also cause hypothermia, a condition where the body loses heat faster than it can produce it. Additionally, cold water can severely limit swimming ability and coordination, making self-rescue more difficult.
Keep Yourself Safe:- Always wear a life jacket – a life jacket is crucial in cold water, providing flotation to keep your head above water, aiding breathing control, and making rescue easier – buying vital time for survival
- Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature – water conducts heat away from your body much faster then air so adequate protection is crucial to maintain core body temperature
- Be aware of changing weather conditions
- File a float plan with a trusted shoreside source
- Learn the 1-10-1 Principle – a crucial guideline for cold water survival, the 1-10-1 Principle outlines your window of opportunity for survival: you have 1 minute to regulate your breathing, 10 minutes of meaningful movement to attempt self-rescue, and 1 hour until hypothermia renders you unconscious
Get Educated
The Canadian Safe Boating Council is hosting virtual Cold Water Awareness workshops with expert Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht (Professor Popsicle). You’ll learn:
- How to survive accidental cold water immersion
- How to help others with hypothermia
- Cold water survival techniques
- Basic first response
Workshops take place over 2 evenings, and the cost is $100.
Register now for one of these upcoming workshops:
- Tuesday, November 25 & Thursday, November 27, 2025
- Tuesday, January 13 & Thursday, January 15, 2026
- Tuesday, February 24 & Thursday, February 26, 2026
Find out how to register here.
Watch Professor Popsicle in action:
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