Immersion Suits Stewart M. Tweed Hypothermia, the lowering of a person's core body temperature, can be a killer for anyone who works or plays outdoors. Commercial fishermen working away from shore in cold weather have little chance of survival if they fall overboard or have to abandon a sinking ship.
Humans rapidly lose heat in cold water and can die in a matter of minutes.
Immersion suits, or survival suits as they are often called by commercial fishermen, can significantly improve survival time in cold water. These suits are often featured in stories about successful sea rescues. Recognizing that hypothermia is a major factor in lives lost at sea, the U.S. Coast Guard now requires immersion suits on documented vessels operating north of 32 degrees North and seaward of the Coastal Boundary Line. Notwithstanding any requirements, immersion suits are recognized as an important piece of life saving equipment for all fishermen. To be effective, fishermen must keep their suits in good condition, keep them handy and know how to use them.