Name: Cold Water Safety Best Practices - Avoiding Fatalities and Lawsuits
Start: 2026-10-21T15:00:00-0700
End: 2026-10-21T16:30:00-0700

Main Conference: Tuesday October 20 - Thursday, October 22, 2026

Preconference: Monday October 19 - Tuesday, October 20, 2026

*Schedule subject to change.

Cold Water Safety Best Practices - Avoiding Fatalities and Lawsuits

Wednesday October 21, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT

Weyerhaeuser

The hazards of cold water immersion are well-documented and have been known for over 50 years. Despite extensive scientific research and a large number of close calls and fatalities, tragic incidents continue to occur every year.

Cold water close calls and fatalities are almost always preventable, yet many outdoor programs and commercial outfitters fail to implement best practices. Fatalities are devastating to family and friends, and also undermine the goals and objectives of outdoor programs. Wrongful death settlements alone can easily run into millions of dollars, to say nothing of legal fees and adverse publicity.

The keys to successful cold water risk management are awareness of the danger and following best practices for cold water safety. There are Five Golden Rules of cold water safety. Each is important, but it's the combination of all five that empower you to build a robust cold water safety net.

Recognition and application of cold water safety best practices empower program administrators, trip leaders, instructors, and participants to enhance program safety through the assessment and management of cold water risks.

Speakers

Moulton Avery

Founder and Director, National Center for Cold Water Safety

Founder and Director, National Center for Cold Water Safety. Internationally recognized subject matter expert with 50+ years experience. Executive Director, Center for Environmental Physiology, Washington, DC for ten years. Developed first national public health campaigns on heat... Read More →

Wednesday October 21, 2026 3:00pm - 4:30pm PDT
Weyerhaeuser 909 N Hayden Island Dr, Portland, OR 97217

Field Practices, Breakout Session

Tickets

Success you have shared X tickets.

2026 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

Moulton Avery

Get help with the event

Choose your checkout method

Success you have shared X tickets.

2026 Wilderness Risk Management Conference

Moulton Avery

Sign up or log in to save this to your schedule, view media, leave feedback and see who's attending!

Get help with the event