It would suck
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SAN FRANCISCO – The fit, well-built NFL players missing in tropical waters of the Gulf of Mexico off Florida stand a better chance of surviving their ordeal than a nonathlete would have in the chilly waters off San Francisco, Bay Area-based Coast Guard officials said Monday.
Factors that affect a person’s ability to survive in open waters while rescuers search for them include their size and fitness level, the temperature of the water and whether they are equipped with life vests and other safety equipment.
Those factors help the Coast Guard calculate a person’s survivability, which is a measure that helps a sector commander decide when to give up hope and abandon a rescue effort, San Francisco-stationed helicopter pilot Lt. Eric Smith said.
“The water temperature in the Gulf is usually a lot warmer than it is here,” Smith told reporters. “If they’re in good shape, it’ll definitely add to their ability to tread water.”
Depending on a victim’s survivability, rescue efforts can be called off after days or after more than a week, according to Smith.
Hypothermia generally sets in less than an hour after somebody falls into the Pacific Ocean off San Francisco, according to rescue swimmer Chief Miles Beardsley.
To increase survival chances after falling into the water, Beardsley said victims should cling to the largest possible floating item and curl up into a ball to minimize heat loss.
Factors that affect a person’s ability to survive in open waters while rescuers search for them include their size and fitness level, the temperature of the water and whether they are equipped with life vests and other safety equipment.
Those factors help the Coast Guard calculate a person’s survivability, which is a measure that helps a sector commander decide when to give up hope and abandon a rescue effort, San Francisco-stationed helicopter pilot Lt. Eric Smith said.
“The water temperature in the Gulf is usually a lot warmer than it is here,” Smith told reporters. “If they’re in good shape, it’ll definitely add to their ability to tread water.”
Depending on a victim’s survivability, rescue efforts can be called off after days or after more than a week, according to Smith.
Hypothermia generally sets in less than an hour after somebody falls into the Pacific Ocean off San Francisco, according to rescue swimmer Chief Miles Beardsley.
To increase survival chances after falling into the water, Beardsley said victims should cling to the largest possible floating item and curl up into a ball to minimize heat loss.
A Coast Guard search has narrowed off Florida's Gulf Coast for three fishermen, including NFL players Corey Smith and Marquis Cooper, after the Monday morning discovery of their 21-foot capsized boat and a fourth man who survived the ordeal.
Nick Schuyler, a former University of South Florida football player, was clinging to the vessel and wearing a life jacket when it was discovered Monday about 38 miles west of Tampa Bay.
Petty officer Robert Simpson said Schuyler, who was suffering from hypothermia, was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital. Schuyler told authorities the boat was anchored when it overturned Saturday evening in rough seas, spilling all four fishermen into the gulf.
Simpson said during an interview at 6:15 p.m. Monday, local time, that "multiple units" were still searching for the missing men.
What remains unclear is whether the four were aware of an oncoming cold front and forecasted high winds. It's remarkable that Schuyler was able to hold on.
Frank Strait, an AccuWeather meteorologist, said powerful winds followed the cold front and by late Sunday morning swells had grown to 12 to 14 feet and winds were gusting to 30-plus knots.
A small-craft advisory for the area was issued early Saturday evening.
Water temperatures in the area are in the low 60s, so there's a chance one or more of the missing men are still alive, if they're wearing a flotation device. Simpson did not know whether the three were wearing life jackets.
Here's hoping for another miraculous discovery--and soon!
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/03/search-for-miss.html
Nick Schuyler, a former University of South Florida football player, was clinging to the vessel and wearing a life jacket when it was discovered Monday about 38 miles west of Tampa Bay.
Petty officer Robert Simpson said Schuyler, who was suffering from hypothermia, was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital. Schuyler told authorities the boat was anchored when it overturned Saturday evening in rough seas, spilling all four fishermen into the gulf.
Simpson said during an interview at 6:15 p.m. Monday, local time, that "multiple units" were still searching for the missing men.
What remains unclear is whether the four were aware of an oncoming cold front and forecasted high winds. It's remarkable that Schuyler was able to hold on.
Frank Strait, an AccuWeather meteorologist, said powerful winds followed the cold front and by late Sunday morning swells had grown to 12 to 14 feet and winds were gusting to 30-plus knots.
A small-craft advisory for the area was issued early Saturday evening.
Water temperatures in the area are in the low 60s, so there's a chance one or more of the missing men are still alive, if they're wearing a flotation device. Simpson did not know whether the three were wearing life jackets.
Here's hoping for another miraculous discovery--and soon!
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/03/search-for-miss.html
