TULSA — The air is warming up and the water at the lake may look fine, but looks are deceiving and it is important to remember that the water is still very cold and extra precautions are necessary before heading out on the water in winter.

Water temperatures at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District lakes range from the mid 30’s to the low 40’s and that is cold enough to quickly lead to hypothermia if an individual ends up in the water and is not dressed appropriately.

The importance of wearing a life jacket becomes even more critical when the danger for hypothermia is added to other concerns.  Sudden immersion in cold water can have severe physiological consequences, including cardiac arrest, quick loss of body heat (the body loses heat 25 times faster in cold water than in cold air) and involuntary inhalation of water (gasping) that results in drowning.  Wearing a life jacket can keep the boaters head above water, keep the person warm, and provide a chance for rescue.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary recommends layering clothing, and including a wet suit or dry suit to help ward off hypothermia.

Hypothermia is a condition that occurs when the body loses heat faster than it produces it. One of the most common causes is from prolonged exposure to cold water such as from an accidental fall in the water while fishing or from a boating accident.