BOATsmart! Canada
Knowledge Base

If you plan on heading out in the boat in the early spring, late fall, or in other cold environments, you should always wear the right gear to protect yourself against cold water.  This includes wearing a life jacket or PFD, multiple layers of light clothing, plus a water or wind proof outer layer.

Some gear is specifically designed for cold environments. This equipment offers better protection from the elements and can delay the effects of hypothermia, these include:

• Wet suits: Wet suits trap and heat water against the body and should be used with a flotation device.
• Dry suits: Dry suits will stay dry on the inside and should be used with a flotation device and thermal liner.
• Survival suits: Survival suits help retain body heat and work as full body flotation devices.
• Immersion suits: Immersion suits are to be used in extreme conditions when abandoning a vessel.
• Exposure coveralls: Exposure coveralls are a PFD with thermal protection.