Workers aboard commercial fishing vessels off the Pacific coastline face dangers that many of their counterparts in warmer waters do not. Perhaps the deadliest hazard aboard most West Coast vessels is the water temperature.
It is fairly common for fishing crew members to wind up in the waters off the Pacific Coast and Alaska while performing their duties. Whether they survive being swept overboard and get rescued can depend on factors discussed below.
The colder the water, the more lethal the plunge
Water temperatures below 77℉ induce an initial cold shock response. After the initial cold-water immersion, overboard victims audibly gasp upon entering the water. This initial shock is soon eclipsed by pulmonary ventilation similar to hyperventilation. The increase can be four times the initial rate, often causing spasms in the small muscles.
Survivors report decreased abilities to hold their breath when underwater or getting slammed by big waves. Even when rescues are successful, and victims spend roughly three minutes in cold water, they can still develop fatal problems with blood pressure and rising heart rates.
Being pulled from water doesn’t guarantee survival
A rapid crew rescue remains an important variable when determining cold water rescue survival rates. But much depends on the overboard crewmember’s overall health status. Those suffering from chronic illnesses or other problems may be more likely than healthier individuals to succumb to their cold-water immersion injuries.
Why you may need help getting justice
Fishing crew members are a hardy lot. They often prefer to manage on their own without ever seeking assistance with their issues. But because injuries from submersion in cold waters can induce conditions that affect cognition and awareness, this is not the time to go it alone.
Reaching out to learn more about seeking justice for your injuries is a good path forward for those struggling after being injured on a fishing vessel.