BOATsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Module 06 - Other Water Activities Emergency Preparation

The H.E.L.P and Huddle Positions

The best way to survive cold water is to get out of it as quickly as possible. However, if this isn’t an option, you must conserve your body heat to increase your survival time. You can do this by assuming one of the following two positions:

The H.E.L.P. Position

If you’re alone in cold water:

Pull your knees towards your chin and cross your arms tightly across your chest.
This position will help protect the parts of your body that are the most prone to heat loss, such as your underarms and the back of your knees.

The Huddle Position

If you’re in cold water with other people:

Place your arms around each other’s mid to lower back and pull together so that your chests are close to each other’s sides.
Intertwine your legs.
Place any children in the middle of the huddle.
Keep unnecessary movements to a minimum in order to conserve energy.