Public Information Statement
Issued by NWS Corpus Christi, TX

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NOUS44 KCRP 220259
PNSCRP
TXZ229>234-239>247-230345-

PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CORPUS CHRISTI TX
959 PM CDT TUE MAY 21 2013

...SAFE BOATING WEEK CONTINUES THROUGH MAY 24TH...

WEDNESDAY`S TOPIC IS ABOUT HYPOTHERMIA. HYPOTHERMIA IS A CONDITION
IN WHICH BODY CORE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW THE REQUIRED
TEMPERATURE FOR NORMAL METABOLISM AND BODY FUNCTIONS, WHICH IS
DEFINED AS 95 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. IF EXPOSED TO COLD THE INTERNAL
MECHANISMS ARE UNABLE TO REPLENISH THE HEAT THAT IS BEING LOST,
AND A DROP IN CORE TEMPERATURE OCCURS. AS BODY TEMPERATURE
DECREASES, CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS OCCUR SUCH AS SHIVERING AND
MENTAL CONFUSION. HEAT IS LOST MORE QUICKLY IN WATER THAN ON LAND.
WATER TEMPERATURES THAT WOULD BE QUITE REASONABLE AS OUTDOOR AIR
TEMPERATURES CAN LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA. A WATER TEMPERATURE OF 50
DEGREES OFTEN LEADS TO DEATH IN ONE HOUR, AND WATER TEMPERATURES
HOVERING AT FREEZING CAN LEAD TO DEATH IN AS LITTLE AS 15 MINUTES.
WATER AT A SEEMINGLY WARM TEMPERATURE OF 79 DEGREES WILL, AFTER
PROLONGED EXPOSURE, LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA.

$$

HART
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