Colorado Hunter Education Practice Exam

If you fall into cold water, the first action you should take is to keep your clothing on to trap body heat. Clothing, especially when wet, can provide a significant advantage in preserving body warmth in cold water. It creates an insulating layer that helps reduce heat loss, which is critical in preventing hypothermia.

When you enter cold water, your body loses heat much faster than it would in a warm environment, so retaining your clothing is essential. Additionally, clothing can help create some buoyancy, making it easier to stay afloat. Once you've taken steps to keep warm, you can then consider your next actions, which may involve attempting to get back to safety or signaling for help. In contrast, immediately attempting to swim can lead to exhaustion and increased heat loss, while taking off your boots might expose you to further cold and reduce your ability to stay buoyant. Therefore, maintaining as much warmth as possible by keeping your clothing on is crucial.