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Equations of Hayward et al for Predicting Survival Time in Cold Water

Description

For a person immersed in cold water, temperature loss depends primarily on the water temperature. Death from hypothermia occurs when the rectal temperature falls below 30°C. This is may be associated with loss of consciousness and/or cardiac fibrillation.


 

metabolic heat production in kcal/min while holding still in the water =

= 4.19 - (0.11 * (water temperature in °C))

 

rectal temperature cooling rate in °C/min =

= 0.0785 - (0.0034 * (water temperature in °C))

 

For persons immersed in water with a temperature <= 23°C

 

survival time in minutes =

= 15 + (7.2 / (0.0785 - (0.0034 * (water temperature in °C))))

 


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Specialty

ICD-10