NJ Seal Study – Field Trip Introduction

Stockton Marine Science and Environmental Field Station Located off of the Mullica River Mullica River empties into the Great Bay The Great Bay empties into the Atlantic Ocean

Designated as the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve (JCNERR) –NOAA funded program –Designated in October of 1997

My Position Faculty support Facility management Direct marine operations –Safety program

Boating Safety – year round Medical needs – must inform me Boarding a boat – carefully While underway – suits zipped up Getting off the boat Questions?

Boating safety – cold weather Cold weather, cold water and windy conditions More than half of annual boating accident fatalities occur in these conditions Less boaters on the water = less chance of immediate rescue Water removes heat from body 25x faster than air Survival time in water < 40F can be reduced to minutes = STAY ON THE BOAT

Slipping while getting off of the boat –May or may not be shallow! –If only feet get wet, still have problem Falling over side while underway –Not holding on well –Moving around when you are unfamiliar with such activity Actual sinking of vessel in open water –Catastrophic collision with another boat or large object –Flipping vessel in heavy seas or ice Your chances of entering the water are very slim, BUT…

Knowledge, gear, and behavior Knowledge – two things against you… –Cold Shock Involuntary gasping reflex Increased heart rate and blood pressure = cardiac arrest Loss of consciousness –Hypothermia Decreased body temperature – long exposure Slower onset than cold shock Muscle rigidity and loss of manual dexterity Decreased mental capacity

Gear – immersion work suits Mustang survival suits Provide floatation Provide warmth Cinch up straps for maximum protection Must be worn to be counted as a PFD

Water temperatures during your field season = 30F – 55F

Survival time depends on behavior Try to get back on boat or land ASAP Stay with an overturned vessel – do not attempt to swim to shore unless VERY close (<50m) If you cannot get out of the water –Cover head if possible –Assume HELP position –Stay with others –Minimize motion

Treatment of Hypothermia ( Mild case – (victim shivering but coherent) –Move to warm area –Remove wet clothes –Give warm, sweet drinks: NO alcohol or caffeine –Keep victim warm for several hours Moderate case – (shivering may decrease or stop) –Victim may seem irrational –Same treatment but NO drinks –Lye victim down, cover with warm blankets –Seek medical attention ASAP

Hypothermia treatment, cont’d. Severe case –Shivering may stop, victim may begin to lose consciousness –Keep victim prone and immobile –Handle gently –Cover in dry, warm blankets –Stimulate legs and arms gently –Cold blood in extremities can return to core and induce cardiac arrest –Seek medical attention ASAP Victim appears dead –Little or no pulse or breathing –Assume victim can be revived –If there is any trace of pulse or breathing, DO NOT give CPR –Medical help is imperative

More on cold weather preparation… Dress sensibly –Warm clothes, layer –Polypropylene long underwear –Sock liners, wool inserts –Waterproof boots – required Eat sensibly the day of the trip If you plan on removing survival suit for blind work –Need additional jacket, waterproof pants Bring water to drink

Other important knowledge Where you are –Travel from Nacote Creek – Mullica River - across northern end of Great Bay –Seven Islands, Great Bay –Nearest road – Rutgers University Field Station, end of Great Bay Blvd. Communication –VHF radio – field station/USCG –Cell Phone – boat cell phone has list of important numbers

R/V Osprey…

Is there a trip? Call , or x4486 from campus The message will indicate a cancellation within one hour of the anticipated trip Please call if you are not coming Boat leaves the dock at the set time Don’t bring along more than you need

, or x4486 from campus