With the drastic weather changes in Saskatchewan, the temperature of the water at the beach can change quickly. Sometimes without knowing it, people increase their risk of catching hypothermia.

Hypothermia occurs when your skin, blood, and body temperature in your arms and legs drop quickly. This results in shivering, trouble breathing, and unable to use your hands or feet due to numb feelings. After the shivers continue, the temperature of your heart, brain, and other organs drop gradually. You can pass out from hypothermia and drown if you are in water.

Signs of hypothermia include: continual shivering, poor coordination of movements, slowing down, falling behind, numb hands and feet leading to clumsiness, dazed and confused, slurred speech, dilated pupils, and a decreased attention span.

The best way to protect your self is to pack dry change of clothes for the beach or pool, dry towel, or wear a wet suit underneath your life jacket. However, if you are stranded in the water with no dry clothes or anywhere to go, the HELP position could save your life.

The HELP position or Heat Escape Lessening Position can increase your survival time by 50%. To engage the position, cross your arms tightly against your chest and draw your knees up, this will allow the body heat to stay in the torso. Remain calm and do not try to swim. Unnecessary movement will use energy that your body requires to survive. if you are with a group of people, you should all do the HELP position as well as huddle together.