If you fall overboard into cold water, what is the best advice to follow?

Floating on your stomach with legs extended is the best choice if you fall overboard into cold water because it helps conserve energy and maintains heat. In cold water, hypothermia can set in quickly, making it essential to stay as calm as possible to avoid exhausting yourself. This position allows you to float and minimize heat loss while keeping your body as stable as possible.

Additionally, this technique enables you to maintain a position that makes it easier to be spotted by rescuers, especially if you are in a distress situation. It reduces the amount of your body that is exposed to the cold water, further aiding in maintaining your core temperature.

While swimming aggressively towards the boat or attempting to swim to shore can seem like logical responses, these activities may lead to rapid fatigue and increase the risk of hypothermia. Seeking a nearby floating object could offer some support but might not be as effective as keeping your body positioned to float and conserve energy.