In swimming, the acronym HELP stands for heat escape lessening posture. This position is intended to slow the rate that the body loses heat to prevent hypothermia while submerged in cold water. Any water less than 70 degrees is considered cold and a body core temperature of less than 80 degrees is considered fatal, states the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Features
According to the Crisis Times website, water causes hypothermia 25 times faster than cold air at the same temperature. The increased rate occurs due to the lack of insulation provided by wet clothing and the fact that water displaces the layer of still air that typically surrounds the body. Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, confusion, shallow breathing, weak pulse and drowsiness. Complications include heart failure, trench foot and frostbite. Hypothermia can be fatal.
Prevention/Solution
To do the HELP move to protect against hypothermia, you must assume the fetal position while wearing a personal flotation device. Fold your arms across your chest and cross your legs. Bend your knees and bring them toward your stomach. While in the water, you stay still and keep your head and neck out of the water. The most amount of heat lost from the body when suffering from hypothermia occurs in the head and neck.
Time Frame
HELP increases the survival time of a person submerged in cold water. According to Crisis Times, an average person would survive for one and a half to two hours in 50 degree water with no flotation device. The HELP position increases the time to four hours.
Significance
All boaters should wear personal flotation devices to prevent drowning and have the ability to use HELP as a defense against hypothermia. If more than one person is in the water simultaneously, huddling can be used to increase survival time against hypothermia. Staying still and holding your arms around one another helps decrease the rate that body heat is lost.
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