Lifeguards -
Always pay attention to the water temperature!  For your sake and for those that you are watching.   Watch
the sand bars and holes that have been created around the piers.  Jetties need to be checked out as well.  
Watch the motion of the water.  The way the water acts around the sand bars should help you determine
how the water is going to flow through troughs.    

The chart shown on this page is an estimate for cold water exposure.  It is borrowed from the Triton water
exposure chart -Copyright 1961.  It is still a good guide to use when in and around the water.
Water Temperature in
degrees Fahrenheit
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
Estimated time in minutes to
Unconsciousness - With No
Protection
5
8
10
12
15
30
60
105
150
210
360
Estimated time in minutes to
Death
- With No Protection
10
12
15
25
60
120
270
480
720
No data
No data
Estimated time in minutes to
Unconsciousness With Full
Clothing
8
10
14
20
25
45
80
135
180
255
480
Estimated time in minutes to
Death
Fully Clothed
12
15
25
40
90
150
345
720
No data
No data
No data
Estimated time in minutes to
Unconsciousness
With Leaking Dry Suit
10
12
16
24
30
50
90
150
210
300
600
Estimated time in minutes to
Death
Leaking Dry Suit
13
16
28
48
105
165
375
No data
No data
No data
No data
Estimated time in minutes to
Unconsciousness
1/8" Wet Suit
14
20
26
34
40
65
120
180
270
540
No data
Estimated time in minutes to
Death
1/8" Wet Suit
20
30
40
60
135
240
420
No data
No data
No data
No data
Estimated time in minutes to
Unconsciousness
1/16 Wet Suit
16
22
30
38
50
75
135
195
330
660
No data
Estimated time in minutes to
Death
1/16 Wet Suit
25
35
45
75
165
270
450
No data
No data
No data
No data
Estimated time in minutes to
Unconsciousness
1/16 Wet Suit
20
25
35
45
60
90
150
210
360
720
No data
Estimated time in minutes to
Death
1/4 Wet Suit
30
40
50
90
180
300
480
No data
No data
No data
No data
"Estimated time is considered minimum to unconsciousness or death.  This chart is to be used only as a guide. "  - Copied from the Triton Cold Water Chart.
leonebeach.com            "A Site for lifeguards - Past, Present, Future."