Georgia Hunter Education Course Practice Exam

What should you do first if you fall into cold water while boating?

1. Attempt to get back into the boat immediately

2. Remove your clothing to prevent it from weighing you down

3. Try to rescue others

4. Try to retain as much body heat as possible

The correct answer is: Try to retain as much body heat as possible

If you fall into cold water while boating, the first thing you should do is try to retain as much body heat as possible. This is the correct answer because in cold water, your body can lose heat 25 times faster than in cold air, leading to hypothermia. By trying to retain body heat, such as staying as still as possible, curling into a fetal position to conserve heat, and keeping your head out of the water, you increase your chances of surviving until rescue arrives. The other options are not the first actions you should take if you fall into cold water while boating. Attempting to get back into the boat immediately can lead to capsizing the boat or wasting vital energy. Removing your clothing to prevent it from weighing you down can actually help insulate you from the cold water, so it is not recommended to do this first. Trying to rescue others should only be attempted when you can safely do so without endangering yourself.