Over the last decades scientific knowledge about immersion in cold water has increased significantly. This has lead to modifications and significant technological progress in sea survival material and procedures (1). Distress and abandoning ship is followed by a more or less prolonged period of using any means of rescue equipment, primarily lifejackets, immersion suits, life-rafts or small boats. Once recovered onto these little platforms the hazardous situation is not really solved. Unprotected cold water immersion below 15°C is life-threatening from the very beginning. Floating devices and protective garments are crucial. However, they must fit together and show high performance. Getting wet inside an immersion suit reduces chances for survival significantly. Sitting wet inside a life-raft without a vaporisation barrier means the same.
Survival at sea is not only a matter of material and procedures; it is especially a matter of leadership and discipline.
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