Stumbled across a good series of articles I found in my web surfing. Thought I'd pass along the link:
ExWeb series: Surviving in Cold Water – Part 1 Introduction

-- Craig

Last night on DirecTV (maybe National Geographic channel??) I saw a show that documents a fairly famous ferry boat accident where a ferry out of somewhere in Belgium took off from port without closings it car-loading door, resulting in the capsizing of the boat and the largest death count since the Titanic. Very interesting.

The real interesting part was that most of the deaths were thought to be heavily related to the cold water - just above freezing. One survivor whose story was highlighted was wearing a leather jacket. Apparently the leather jacket took on a life jacket characteristic and helped her stay afloat when others were having trouble staying above water. Many were even pulling down on her legs as they were trying to claw their way to the surface.

I suspect that the leather also had a wet suit effect in that it kept the water next to her torso warm and didn't allow it to flow away as readily as woven coats would.

More info on the event here

Good read. The article doesn't mention that rolling around in snow (if available) can be an excellent way of blotting water from your clothing quickly. I don't recall where I heard that (maybe on this website?) but I think it sounds like a valuable tip.

Regards, Vince

I dunno sounds like a way to get colder and wetter... I guess it depends on the type of snow?

Rolling in dry powder snow is a trick borrowed from animals. Just remember they can't take their coats off and have good fat reserves. If possible the best course of action is to build a fire and dry everything out. Anyone travelling on the water should consider a MUSTANG type float coat. Your warm, bouyant and in a bright colour.

Chris, since you know what you know, I guess you have watched them doing it. So, don't forget the last part, which humans can't really do: they shake like the proverbial wet dog, and all that saturated snow comes flying off in chunks. I've gotten it in my face from horses.

It works for them, not for us; 'least I can't shake that hard. Don't roll in snow -- when it melts, you just get wetter.

This all depends so much on the circumstances its tough to have a formula for whats best. Powder snow at low temp is extremely absorbant, and you'd brush it off your clothes. when you are done rolling in it.

Now try this: it is smooth ice, you just fell in, and the air temp is minus 20. F. How are you going to get out?

Unlesss you have picks, or something you can emprovise, you die.

-20F? Wouldn't your wet clothes stick to the ice?

Here are links to all the parts in the series Surviving in Cold Water

• ExWeb series: Surviving in Cold Water – Part 1 Introduction
  http://www.thepoles.com/news.php?id=475
  
• Part 2 Tips that can save your life
  http://www.thepoles.com/news.php?id=481
  
• Part 3 Getting out
  http://www.thepoles.com/news.php?id=506
  
• Part 4 Get Dry and Warm
  http://www.theoceans.net/news.php?id=556
  

Traditionally, people have worn big mittnes on a kind of harness; easy to slip gloved hands in and out of them, and the wont get lost.
You have the love interest put fur, probably beaver on the backs. good to press against a cold face and a lifesaver when you can throw them onto the ice and wait a minute till they freeze, and you can pullyourself out. My particular love interest saved herself that way as a teenager near Ft Yukon.. With thin ice a knife or pick will probably just preak it more. Mostly we dont carry a pick anyway..

Actually, now that I think about it, it's kind of moot. The ice doesn't stay thin very long at 20 below, so you're probably not going to be falling through in the first place, unless maybe you fall into someone's oversized ice fishing hole.

Well, no, iits not like that. it is not unusual to see open water on the yukon in january, air temp minus 40. Most of the ice will be four ft thick. but an upwelling current will keep another place open, or paper tthin. This aint moot at all.