One of the most common dangers of the Lake is cold water immersion and shock.
“It’s the leading killer of people that hit cold water,” says Jay Schmidt of the U.S. Coast Guard auxiliary.
Cold water immersion occurs when the body is suddenly plunged into cold temperatures, like Lake Tahoe, and shock sets in. Blood vessels may constrict, blood pressure can increase, victims can loss consciousness or the ability to move their arms or legs in less than 3 minutes, and it can even cause immediate heart attacks.
“Hypothermia is the gradual lowering of the temperature of the body,” Schmidt explains. “Cold shock can be immediate. You can hit the water and never come up. It can happen to young, fit people. The type of fitness or age has nothing to do with it.”
Spring and early summer is the most dangerous times for cold shock because the air temperatures are warm and many people mistakenly think the water will be warm, as well, and want to jump into the lake, says DeeDee Kincade, the auxiliary’s division commander.
Schmidt says kayakers also need to be aware of the dangers of cold water immersion and be prepared to be able to get back in their kayak within 5 minutes.
